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Thunder Roll Through Alaska, Descend on Phoenix Next

January 5, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FROM THE COLD TO THE HEAT, PHOENIX IS NEXT Thunder debut Head Coach Matt Thomas with 2-0-1 mark in Anchorage, end five-game road trip with two in Phoenix

THUNDER 2008-09 OVERALL RECORD: 12-17-5, 29 points LAST WEEK: 2-0-1

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT) at PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS (Tuesday and Thursday - 6:05 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN**, B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Phoenix RoadRunners for the first time this season beginning Tuesday at U.S. Airways Center, the start of eight games this year against the RoadRunners. The Thunder is 14-4-1 lifetime against Phoenix and finished with a 5-2-0 mark last year in the head-to-head series. The teams last met on Feb. 25, 2008 and the Thunder defeated the RoadRunners 4-1. The two games mark the end of a five-game, 11-day road trip for Stockton, the longest continuous trip in travel days this season.

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.

** Thursday broadcast carried exclusively online at www.StocktonThunder.com

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Jan. 16 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30 p.m. PLAYER POSTER GIVEAWAY (presented by KHOP 95.1, San Joaquin Regional Transit District and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District) - All fans in attendance receive a commemorative Thunder poster featuring All-Star Ryan Huddy, Cleve Kinley, 2008 All-Star Ryan MacMurchy and rookie James Bates! NEVER A WASTED TICKET NIGHT

Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30 p.m. TEDDY BEAR TOSS NIGHT (presented by California Water Service Company, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, News10 and KAT Country 103) - All fans in attendance are asked to bring a new or gently-used stuffed animal and throw it onto the ice when the Thunder scores their first goal of the game! All stuffed animals will be donated to local charities.

Sunday, Jan. 18 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 4:00 p.m. 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!

TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Ryan Huddy (31)

Goals - Ryan Huddy (16)

Assists - Cory Urquhart (15), Ryan Huddy (15)

Plus/Minus - Kenny MacAulay (+6)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (113)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Kenny MacAulay is 8 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Ryan MacMurchy is 1 game away from 100 in his professional career

o Daryl Marcoux is 3 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Matt O'Dette is 14 points away from 100 and 16 PIM's away from 900 in his ECHL career

o Damian Surma is 8 assists away from 100 in his pro career

o Cory Urquhart is 12 goals away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder and is 5th among ECHL rookies with 16 goals

o Kenny MacAulay is 5th among ECHL defenseman with 17 assists

o Ryan Huddy is tied for second in the ECHL with 2 shorthanded goals

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,888 fans (10 games)

o Stockton is 2-0-1 since naming Matt Thomas as new Head Coach

o Stockton is tied for the National Conference lead with 10 road victories

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

TUE. JAN. 6:

10:15 a.m. - Morning skate at U.S. Airways Center

6:05 p.m. - GAME AT PHOENIX

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

WED, JAN. 7:

9:00 a.m. - Practice at Alltel Ice Den (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

THURS, JAN. 8:

10:15 a.m. - Morning skate at U.S. Airways Center

6:05 p.m. - GAME AT PHOENIX

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com Travel to Stockton immediately following game

FRI, JAN. 9: Day off

SAT, JAN. 10: Day off

SUN. JAN. 11: Day off

MON. JAN. 12: 10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

WEEK IN REVIEW

1/3/09 - STK 2 at AK 1 (OT): National Conference All-Star selection Ryan Huddy scored two goals, including the game-winner at 1:19 of sudden death overtime to stave off a last-minute rally by the Alaska Aces and lift the Thunder to a 2-1 OT win before 4,490 at Sullivan Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who took five of a possible six points in the three-game series in Anchorage, improved to 2-0-1 since Matt Thomas took over as new Head Coach and were aided in net by goaltender Bryan Pitton's 17 saves. Tomas Kana's extra attacker goal forced overtime with 13 seconds left in regulation.

1/2/09 - STK 4 at AK 1: Head Coach Matt Thomas earned his first win behind the Stockton Thunder bench while Cory Urquhart and James Bates each picked up a goal and an assist, helping lift the Thunder (11-17-5, 27 points) to a 4-1 victory over the Alaska Aces before 4,941 at Sullivan Arena on Friday night. In the process of snapping a six-game winless streak, it was the Thunder's first lifetime win in regulation at Sullivan Arena and was aided by a goal from Igor Gongalsky and Justin Chwedoruk. Goaltender Glenn Fisher made 19 saves to earn his first win of the season in a Thunder uniform. Alaska netminder Marek Schwarz stopped 30 shots for the loss.

12/31/08 - STK 2 at AK 3 (OT): Veteran Scott Burt scored on a snap shot from the left circle at 2:16 of sudden-death overtime to lift the Alaska Aces to a come-from-behind 3-2 OT win over the Thunder before a crowd of 5,193 at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who snapped a season-long five-game losing streak (regulation) in the debut of head coach Matt Thomas behind the bench, were aided by a shorthanded goal from veteran Damian Surma and the fourth goal of the season from rookie Garet Hunt. Goaltender Glenn Fisher helped force the overtime session with a 28-save output in his Thunder season debut.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"I think this team has the talent and character to win," Thomas said. "And we're going to help them get there." - Thunder head coach Matt Thomas, The Record, 12/31/08

"It's always nice when something like this happens," Huddy said. "I'm quite honored." - Thunder forward Ryan Huddy on being named to the ECHL All-Star team (National Conference), The Record, 12/31/08



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