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Thunder Returns Home For Vegas, Idaho

February 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER 2008-09 OVERALL RECORD: 24-25-5, 53 points LAST WEEK: 0-2-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT) vs. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS (Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder begins a four-game homestand against the Las Vegas Wranglers, the second time both teams meet in Stockton this year. The Thunder is 1-1-0 against the Wranglers this season and both teams met in the Kelly Cup Playoffs last year in the National Conference Quarterfinal. Las Vegas won the best-of-seven series in six games, 4-2, and advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in club history. The Thunder has a lifetime record of 5-16-1 against Las Vegas. The teams last met on Jan. 16 at Stockton Arena and the Thunder defeated Las Vegas 7-2. Entering the week, the Thunder stand just five points behind the Wranglers for second place in the Pacific Division.

vs. IDAHO STEELHEADS (Fri. and Sat. - 7:30 p.m., Sun. - 4:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN**, B2 Networks The Stockton Thunder and Idaho Steelheads meet for the final three times of the year this weekend, marking the final of nine matchups between both teams. The Thunder is 13-15-2 lifetime against the Steelheads and is 3-2-1 this season. Both teams last met on Feb. 9 and the Steelheads defeated the Thunder 6-1 in Stockton. Sunday's game concludes a stretch of four games in six nights for Stockton.

**Saturday's broadcast heard exclusively online at www.StocktonThunder.com.

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.

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!

Go Green With the Thunder's "Recycle Wednesday" Campaign! Join the Thunder "going green" in the Thunder's "Recycle Wednesday" on Feb. 25, when the Thunder hosts the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:00 p.m.! All fans who exchange ten bottles or 20 cans to the Stockton Arena Ticket Office on the day of the game will receive a free coupon for that game, redeemable for $4 off the full admission price!

PROMOTIONAL NEWS Wednesday, February 25, 2009 vs. Las Vegas, 7:00 p.m. RECYCLE WEDNESDAYS

- Bring 10 bottles or 20 cans to the Stockton Arena Ticket Office and receive a $4 discount off admission to tonight's game!

Friday, February 27, 2009 vs. Idaho, 7:30 p.m. FAITH NIGHT

- Special group tickets available for church and local faith organizations; testimonials and autograph session with Thunder players and personalities after the game! PLAYER POSTER GIVEAWAY (3 of 4) (Presented by KHOP 95.1 and In-Shape Health Clubs)

- All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder poster featuring Robbie Bina, veteran Damian Surma and All-Star Cory Urquhart!

Saturday, February 28, 2009 vs. Idaho, 7:30 p.m. THUNDER HOME JERSEY GIVEAWAY (Presented by KAT Country 103 and News10)

- The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) will receive a Thunder replica home jersey (2nd half of season) MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION PLEDGE NIGHT

- Three dollars of each ticket sold for tonight's game and proceeds from raffles will be donated the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento & Northeastern California

Sunday, March 1, 2009 vs. Idaho, 4:00 p.m. MASCOT DAY

- Thunder mascot "Thor" will entertain the crowd with his friends during the game, including "PowerCat" (Pacific Tigers), "Splash" (Stockton Ports), "Tom Cat" (Stockton Cougars), "Dinger" (Sacramento River Cats), "Wally the Walnut" and "Al the Almond" (Modesto Nuts), and more!

TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Ryan Huddy (51)

Goals - Ryan Huddy (27)

Assists - Ryan Huddy (24), Mike Lalonde (24)

Plus/Minus - Daryl Marcoux (+17)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (212)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Ryan Huddy is 3 goals away from breaking the Thunder single-season goal-scoring record (29)

o Matt O'Dette is 10 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Damian Surma is 8 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Cory Urquhart is 9 points away from 200 in his ECHL career

o Craig Valette is 2 points away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder with 51 points (27g-24a)

o Rookie Garet Hunt leads the ECHL with 210 penalty minutes

o Huddy is three goals away from breaking Mike Lalonde's single-season Thunder record of 29 goals

Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,269 fans (23 games) Stockton is second in the National Conference with 14 road victories Stockton leads the ECHL with 1,217 penalty minutes

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

TUE. FEB. 24:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

WED. FEB. 25:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

5:30 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:00 p.m. - GAME vs. LAS VEGAS (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

THURS, FEB. 26:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

FRI, FEB. 27:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. IDAHO (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

SAT, FEB. 28:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. IDAHO (Stockton Arena)

StocktonThunder.com

SUN. MARCH 1:

2:30 p.m. - Media availability ends

4:00 p.m. - GAME vs. IDAHO (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

MON. MARCH 2:

Travel to Phoenix, AZ.

WEEK IN REVIEW

2/21/09 - STK 1 at UTA 2: Peter Mannino made 40 saves and Rob Hennigar tallied a goal and an assist to help the Utah Grizzlies edge the Stockton Thunder, 2-1 before a crowd of 4,834 at The E-Center on Saturday night. Damian Surma tallied the only Thunder goal in the third period while Utah's Tim Verbeek notched the game-winner on the power-play in the first period. Hennigar scored a shorthanded goal in the first period to send the Thunder to its fourth straight loss.

2/20/09 - STK 2 at UTA 5: Tom May scored a pair of goals to lead the Utah Grizzlies in a five-goal run in the first and second period, sending the Stockton Thunder (24-24-5, 53 points) to its third straight loss, 5-2 in front of a crowd of 6,231 at The E-Center on Friday. The game marked the debut of Thunder center Oren Eizenman, a 2008 ECHL All-Star who was signed by the Thunder as free agent on the same day. Eizenman tallied an assist while defensemen Matt O'Dette and Daryl Marcoux scored for Stockton. Utah, who scored four goals on six shots in the second period, were aided by goals from Tim Verbeek, Scott Thauwald and James Brannigan.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"He does all the little things right; that's why so many teams looked at him and wanted him," Thomas said. "That's a stat (+12 rating since Dec. 31) that is pretty consistent with a players attention to detail defensively. And Daryl is a smart, hard-working player. He doesn't make many mistakes."

- Head Coach Matt Thomas on defenseman Daryl Marcoux, The Record, 2/13/09

"We had a good week. A lot of guys got on the bike, hit the weights a little bit. They are building up strength and confidence." &nb p; - Left wing Mike Lalonde, The Record, 2/20/09

STOCKTON THUNDER STATISTICS (as of Feb. 23, 2009)

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.



ECHL Stories from February 23, 2009


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