Thunder returns to play December 26, puts up offensive highlights vs. Idaho

Published on December 19, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


NEXT WEEK:

at Bakersfield Condors

Monday, Dec. 26 (7:00 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder hosts the Bakersfield Condors for the fifth of 13 meetings, for the first game following the holiday break at Rabobank Arena. The Thunder will play in their first game after an eight day layoff. The Thunder last faced Bakersfield on Nov. 11 at Stockton Arena and were defeated by the Condors, 5-2 at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 3-1-0 this season against Bakersfield and is 2-0-0 at Rabobank Arena this season.

at Las Vegas Wranglers

Tuesday, Dec. 27 (11:59 p.m.)

Radio: StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder visits the Las Vegas Wranglers to end a brief two game road trip with a special "Midnight Game" at Orleans Arena. The game will be the sixth matchup out of ten this season and reunites Thunder head coach Matt Thomas with former assistant coach Ryan Mougenel (Las Vegas head coach). The two were behind the bench in coaching roles previously with Stockton and Fresno. The Thunder is 14-27-3 lifetime vs. Las Vegas and last faced the Wranglers on Dec. 6, defeated 4-2 at Orleans Arena. The Thunder is 2-2-1 this season against Las Vegas.

vs. Ontario Reign

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30-31 (7:30 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder battles the Ontario Reign for two games in two days to end the calendar year at Stockton Arena, beginning with a Dec. 30 that welcomes Stockton native and Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden to the game. The Thunder is 4-3-1 this season against the Reign and in the last meeting the Thunder defeated Ontario, 2-0 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Dec. 6. Through 38 regular season games in the all-time series, the Thunder is 22-12-4 against Ontario.

1280 AM KWSX 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 "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 team's upcoming schedule for this week is as follows :

(subject to change, all times PT)

***NOTE: team will return from holiday break and resume skating on Dec. 26

Monday, DEC. 26

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Oak Park Ice Arena

Travel to Bakersfield, Calif. immediately after morning skate

7:00 p.m. - GAME at BAKERSFIELD

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Travel to Las Vegas immediately after the game

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Dec. 30 vs. Ontario Reign, 7:30 p.m.

DALLAS BRADEN 209 NIGHT WITH THE STOCKTON THUNDER

- Come meet Oakland Athletics pitcher and Stockton native Dallas Braden, who will be signing autographs and posing for photos for all fans in attendance!

THUNDER KNIT CAP GIVEAWAY (presented by 104.1 The Hawk)

- The first 1,000 fans (13 and under) through the turnstiles will receive a free Thunder "beanie," perfect for the cold mornings or nights!

Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Ontario Reign, 7:30 p.m.

NEW YEAR'S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center, KAT Country 103, In Shape Health Clubs, 104.1 The Hawk and News10)

- Come help ring in the new year with the Thunder and enjoy a spectacular fireworks show following the conclusion of the game, put on by Fireworks & Stage FX America Inc, who have performed previously with the San Jose Sharks, Sacramento Kings, Sea World and Super Bowl XXXVII

WEEK IN REVIEW:

IDH 5 - STK 4 (12/17/11): Chad Klassen recorded four points and his first career hat trick, enough to help the Idaho Steelheads defeat the Stockton Thunder (12-11-3, 27 points), 5-4, before 5,152 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The loss put the Thunder in third place in the Pacific Division, in spite of a furious comeback attempt in the third period, a two goal effort from rookie Ryan Martindale and a three point eruption from defenseman Dan Ringwald, who made his return to the Thunder lineup just two hours after stepping off a flight from Oklahoma City. Jerry Kuhn's 32 saves were enough for the win in net. Idaho broke a 3-3 tie with two goals in a span of 1:12 off deflections at the front of the net in the third period.

IDH 6 - STK 2 (12/16/11): Marc Rancourt led an Idaho Steelheads team that was outshot, 40-28, with his first career hat trick en route to sending the Stockton Thunder (12-10-13, 27 points) to a 6-2 defeat at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Rancourt scored twice in the third period to help put the game away and helped Jerry Kuhn pick up the win with 38 saves. The Thunder, who came within two shots of tying their season best and put 17 shots on net in the first period, were paced offensively with a goal and assist each from Ryan Martindale and Kevin Baker.

2011-12 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Kevin Baker, Matt Foy (21)

Goals - Kevin Baker (13)

Assists - Matt Foy (13)

Plus/Minus - Jesse Fratkin, Matt Foy (+3)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (127) *

*leads ECHL

UPCOMING MILESTONES

- Matt Thomas is 17 wins away from 300 in his professional coaching career

- Matt Foy is 1 assist away from 100 in his professional career

- Kevin Baker is 25 goals away from 200 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

- Dan Ringwald had a career high three points (1g-2a) on Saturday in a 5-4 defeat to Idaho

- Matt Foy has scored 10 points (3g-7a) in the last seven games

- Kevin Baker has scored nine points (6g-3a) in the last six games

- Stockton has scored a power play goal in five consecutive games

- Stockton is tied for the ECHL lead with 8 road wins

- Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 5,716 fans per game

The Thunder Season Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktonthunder.com. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

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