Thunder Return After Holidays to Face Bakersfield, Victoria

December 23, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LAST WEEK: 2-2-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT) at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Friday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Bakersfield Condors in the first meeting following the holiday break at Rabobank Arena. It is the fourth of nine games against the Condors for the 2008-09 season and in the last meeting, the Condors defeated the Thunder 6-5 at Stockton Arena on Nov. 16. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 11-10-7 against Bakersfield and is 1-2-0 against the Condors this year.

vs. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS (Saturday - 7:30 p.m.; Sunday - 4:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder return home for the first time since Dec. 6 a two-game weekend series Victoria Salmon Kings, the sixth and seventh of 10 meetings between both clubs for the season. The Thunder is 10-12-3 lifetime against the Salmon Kings and is 3-2-0 against the Salmon Kings this season. The teams last met at Stockton Arena on Nov. 8 for "Thunder Goes Pink III," and the Salmon Kings defeated the Thunder 3-1.

1420 KSTN is the Thunder's flagship radio station and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $7 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary, with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Saturday, Dec. 27 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:30 p.m.
"THOR" BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT
- The first 1,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance receive a limited-edition, collectible bobblehead of Thunder mascot "Thor"!

Sunday, Dec. 28 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 4:00 p.m.
KNIT CAP NIGHT (Presented by 97.7/98.3 KWIN)
- The first 2,000 adult fans (ages 18 and up) receive Thunder-adorned headwear, perfect for cold weather!
FAMILY DAY (Presented by MetroPCS, 99.3 KJOY)
- $34 family upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, four hockey pucks) with coupon available by visiting participating MetroPCS locations.

Show someone you care with the Stockton Thunder and Edible Arrangements! This season during every Sunday home game one lucky fan will be awarded a beautiful and delicious fruit bouquet courtesy of Edible Arrangements. If you have a co-worker, friend, or family member you feel deserves special recognition, log on to www.StocktonThunder.com and nominate them for the Edible Arrangements Sentimental Moment!

Get that perfect holiday hockey gift at the Stockton Arena FanAttic! The FanAttic team store is now open for special holiday hours, lasting until December 23 each week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 12:00pm to 6:00 p.m. Get that perfect holiday gift for the hockey fan in your life with a premium selection of Thunder jerseys, apparel, collectibles and more!

TEAM LEADERS:
Points - Ryan Huddy (25)
Goals - Ryan Huddy (13)
Assists - Cory Urquhart (13)
Plus/Minus - Ryan Huddy (+5), Ryan MacMurchy (+5)
Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (91)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
o Ryan MacMurchy is 1 game away from 100 in his professional career
o Cory Urquhart is 14 goals away from 100 in his ECHL career
o Craig Valette is 15 points away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:
o Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder in scoring and is tied for sixth among ECHL rookies with 25 points (13g-12a) in 25 games
o Ryan Huddy has 12 points (8g-4a) in his last 9 games
o Mike Lalonde scored a goal at Ontario on Sunday to become the all-time leading scorer in Thunder history with 123 points (60g-63a)
o Stockton is 5-2-4 in one-goal games
o Stockton is 2-1-2 when tied after two periods
o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 7,048 fans (8 games)

The team's upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows: (subject to change, all times PT)

***Note: no practices will be scheduled for Dec. 22-25

FRI. DEC. 26:
10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena
Travel to Bakersfield
7:00 p.m. - GAME AT BAKERSFIELD
1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

SAT. DEC. 27:
10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena
6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends
7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. VICTORIA
1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

SUN. DEC. 28:
No morning skate
2:30 p.m. - Media availability ends
4:00 p.m. - GAME VS. VICTORIA
1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

MON, DEC. 29:
Day off

WEEK IN REVIEW

12/21/08 - STK 2 at ONT 6: The Ontario Reign scored four power-play goals, three on two-man advantage situations to send the Stockton Thunder (10-13-4, 24 points) to a 6-2 defeat before 4,306 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Sunday. Maxime Boisclair led Ontario with two goals while John Murray made 28 saves. Thunder left winger Mike Lalonde scored a goal in the second period to become the all-time leading scorer in Stockton Thunder history, surpassing Nathan Martz with 123 points in a Thunder uniform.

12/20/08 - STK 1 at FRE 3: Michael Ouzas made 32 saves and the Fresno Falcons capitalized off two power-play goals to edge the Thunder in a 3-1 win before a crowd of 2,852 at Selland Arena on Saturday night. In Fresno's final game before the holiday break, three different goal-scorers converted for the Falcons in Spencer Carbery, Judd Blackwater and Adam Berti. Justin Chwedoruk scored the only Thunder goal and netminder Bryan Pitton made 25 saves in the losing cause. Both clubs combined for 10 fighting majors in the game.

12/19/08 - STK 3 at FRE 2 (SO): David Rohlfs' goal in the 10th round of the shootout lifted the Thunder to its second consecutive victory, edging the Fresno Falcons 3-2 in front of 2,796 at Selland Arena on Friday night. Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton made 36 saves and received offensive support on goals by Cory Urquhart and Mike Salekin. Fresno had a goal each from Jarrett Konkle and Dan Bertram while Joe Fallon made 23 saves. Mike Lalonde tied Nathan Martz for the Thunder career scoring lead with an assist on Urquhart's goal.

12/16/08 - STK 3 at FRE 1: Rookie Ryan Huddy scored two goals and goaltender Bryan Pitton made 28 saves to lift the Thunder to a 3-1 victory over the Fresno Falcons before a crowd of 2,244 at Selland Arena on Tuesday night. The Thunder, who captured their first win in the head-to-head season series and first ever at Selland Arena, were supported by a goal from veteran Craig Valette in his return to the Thunder lineup. Stockton finished 1-for-5 on the power-play. It was the first victory for the Thunder on a season-long eight-game road trip.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"We had to rely on our goalie, and he came through big time for us," said center Craig Vallette, who had an assist. "He has been our go-to-guy lately."

- Thunder center Craig Valette on goaltender Bryan Pitton, The Record, 12/20/08

"He's a real offense guy. Cody was sent here to get some structure in his game, and he's worked on it," Cichocki said.

- Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki on the recall of defenseman Cody Wild to the Springfield Falcons, The Record, 12/23/08



ECHL Stories from December 23, 2008


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