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Thunder Returns Home with Best Record

November 15, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. Idaho Steelheads

Thursday (7:00 p.m.), Saturday (7:30 p.m.)**

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder, at 7-0-3 in the last ten games and one win, overtime loss or shootout loss from tying a team record for an 11-game unbeaten streak in regulation, starts a five game homestand on Thursday. They will host the Idaho Steelheads in the first rematch at Stockton Arena since the two teams faced each other in last year's National Conference Final. The Thunder is 2-0-1 this year against Idaho. The Thunder was 2-1 at home in the Conference Final and was defeated by Idaho, 4-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series. All time, the Thunder is 19-25-4 against Idaho. Nearly 20 players combined between both teams are back from last year. The last time both teams met was last Saturday, when the Thunder defeated Idaho, 5-4 in a shootout at Qwest Arena. Stockton enters the week with the best record in the Western Conference and best win percentage in the ECHL.

vs. Victoria Salmon Kings

Sunday (4:00 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Thunder continues a homestand and concludes three games in four days by hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena, the first of 13 games this year between the two clubs. The Thunder is 18-20-5 lifetime against Victoria and last season, went 7-4-1 last year in the head-to-head series. For the first time this season, the Thunder will wear their gold third jerseys, traditional for every Sunday home game. It will also feature the return of Salmon Kings forward Ryan MacMurchy, who suited up for the Thunder for two seasons (2007-09). Fans who bring a new or gently used coat to the game will receive free admission in the Thunder's annual "Coats for Kids" drive presented by News10 and AAA.

1280 AM KWSX is the Thunder's flagship radio station on the road this year and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $8 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

The Thunder and Fat's Grill and Bar Restaurant have partnered for this season for "Thunder Watch Party" nights (shown through AmericaOne) during all Thunder road games. Fans attending will have an opportunity to win prizes, enjoy drink specials and participate in a festive atmosphere while cheering on the Thunder. Located at 4555 North Pershing Avenue in Stockton and just minutes away from Stockton Arena, Fat's Grill and Bar is a three-time "Best of San Joaquin" Award winner in The Record and features 15 television monitors and four satellite dishes, an array of acclaimed entrees, pizzas, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more.

** Denotes online only broadcast at www.StocktonThunder.com

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Saturday, November 20 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:30 p.m.

REPLICA JERSEY GIVEAWAY (white) presented by Pepsi, Financial Center Credit Union and 104.1 The Hawk

- The first 1,500 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a free Thunder replica jersey!

Sunday, November 21 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 4:00 p.m.

COATS FOR KIDS DRIVE presented by News10 and AAA

- Fans who bring a new or gently used coat to Sunday's game against Victoria will receive a free ticket!

THIRD JERSEY GAME

TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Chris D'Alvise (17)

Goals - Chris D'Alvise (10)

Assists - Jason Pitton (8)

Plus/Minus - Chris D'Alvise (+8)

Penalty Minutes - Jason Pitton (34)

UPCOMING MILESTONES

* Chris Lawrence is 8 games away from 200 in his professional career

* Ryan Constant is 12 points away from 200 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

Chris D'Alvise is tied for second in ECHL goal-scoring with 10 goals

Bryan Pitton is second in the ECHL with a 1.91 goals-against-average

Anthony Aiello is tied for eighth among ECHL defensemen with eight points (1g-7a)

Stockton is third in the ECHL on the power-play at 21.2 percent

Stockton leads the Western Conference with a .773 win percentage

Stockton leads the ECHL with 22 goals in the third period

Stockton is third in ECHL attendance with an average of 6,201 fans

The team's upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows:

(subject to change, all times PT)

Tue., NOV. 16

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

Wed., NOV. 17

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

Thurs., NOV. 18

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

5:30 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:00 p.m. - GAME vs. IDAHO

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Fri., NOV. 19

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

Sat., NOV. 20

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

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. IDAHO

StocktonThunder.com

Sun., NOV. 21

No Morning Skate

2:30 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

4:00 p.m. - GAME vs. VICTORIA

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Mon., NOV. 22

Day off

WEEK IN REVIEW

STK 5 - IDH 4 (11/13/10): Chris D'Alvise's fourth career hat trick helped the Thunder (7-1-3, 17 points) erase a two goal deficit and rally in a 5-4 victory over the Idaho Steelheads, before 4,858 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who became the first team since the 2007-08 Fresno Falcons to take at least five of six points in a three-game series in the regular season at Qwest Arena, stretched its unbeaten streak in regulation to 7-0-3 in ten games, one shy of the Thunder record. Bretton Cameron and Chris Lawrence also chipped in with goals for the Thunder.

IDH 4 - STK 3 (SO) (11/12/10): Steve Oleksy scored a shootout winning goal in the seventh round and Mark Derlago had two assists to help the Idaho Steelheads escape with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Thunder before a crowd of 3,998 at Qwest Arena on Friday night. The Thunder, who remained unbeaten in regulation at 6-0-3 in the last nine games, were helped out with goals from Chris D'Alvise (new Thunder record for fastest goal), Chris Lawrence and Jim McKenzie. Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 26 saves, moving his record to 3-0-1. His counterpart, Mike Zacharias, collected his first win as a Steelhead with 34 stops.

STK 2 - IDH 1 (SO) (11/10/10): Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 32 saves and stopped all three shots faced in a shootout, helping the Thunder overcome a late third period deficit and rally in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Idaho Steelheads at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who served payback after a series defeat to Idaho, 4-2 in a best-of-seven series in the Conference Final last year, improved to 6-0-2 in the last eight games and forced overtime with a goal from rookie Jesse Gimblett with 3:42 left in regulation. Aaron Clarke, Jason Pitton and Chris D'Alvise scored for Stockton in the shootout.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"The guys believed in each other. They stuck with it through penalty kills," said Stockton coach Matt Thomas, whose team hasn't lost in regulation since its season opener. "We came out with the right energy in the third period after those momentum-shifting goals late in the second period. We outworked them. The ride will be a long one, but satisfying."

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas on the Thunder's 5-4 victory over Idaho on Saturday, The Record (Nov. 14, 2010)

"It's nice, and I think this is more a team award, especially after last weekend," said Pitton, who won the award for the third time after posting a 0.96 goals-against average against the Condors. "I think it shows a lot about how this team played."

Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton on being named ECHL Goaltender of the Week, The Record (Nov. 10, 2010)

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