Thunder Seizes First Place in Western Conference

Published on November 5, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

at SAN FRANCISCO BULLS

Friday, Nov. 9 (7:15 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder returns to play on Friday against the San Francisco Bulls, an expansion team to the ECHL's Pacific Division. Friday's game will be the first of 13 meetings between the two teams this season. The Thunder enters the game with a six game winning streak and is off to its best start since the 2006-07 season. They also began this week sitting in first place in the Western Conference, tied for the best record in the ECHL and owning the second best win percentage in the league (.833). The Bulls, who play at the 71-year old Cow Palace, are an affiliate of the San Jose Sharks.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS - NEXT HOME GAME

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 16 vs. Utah Grizzlies (7:30 p.m.)

WHAT: TEAM PHOTO GIVEAWAY (presented by KHOP 95.1 and KAT Country 103)

The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder 2012-13 team photo.

WEEK IN REVIEW

STK 5 - AK 1 (11/4/12): The Stockton Thunder (7-1-1, 15 points) enjoyed goal scoring from five different players and ended Thunder Goes Pink VII victorious in a 5-1 rout over the Alaska Aces (5-4-0, 10 points) in front of 4,194 fans on Sunday at Stockton Arena. The win completes a three-game weekend sweep, as well as back to back wins over the Aces. In victory, Thunder goaltender Tyler Bunz (5-1-1) made 31 saves on 32 shots. Center Harrison Reed collected three points (1 goal, 2 assists) to lead the Thunder offense.

STK 7 - AK 4 (11/3/12): Philippe Cornet had a four point night while Toni Rajala posted two goals and an assist to lead the Stockton Thunder (6-1-1, 13 points) offense in a 7-4 blowout win over the Alaska Aces before a crowd of 8,018 at Stockton Arena on Saturday. Goaltender Tyler Bunz earned the win in net with 28 saves while all but five Thunder skaters registered a point in the game.

STK 6 - BAK 1 (11/2/12): Justin Maylan put forth a two goal effort as the Stockton Thunder (5-1-1, 11 points) took care of the Bakersfield Condors (3-5-1, 7 points) in a 6-1 victory to open Thunder Goes Pink VII in front of 5,717 fans on Friday at Stockton Arena. The Thunder claimed its fifth win in the last six games and was also aided by Cody Reichard's 19 saves in net.

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

Tuesday, NOV. 6

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

Wednesday, NOV. 7

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

Thursday, NOV. 8

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

Friday, NOV. 9

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

Travel to San Francisco after morning skate

7:15 p.m. - GAME at SAN FRANCISCO

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Saturday, NOV. 10

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

Sunday, NOV. 11

Travel day to Utah

Monday, NOV. 12

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Maverik Center

6:05 p.m. - GAME at UTAH

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

2012-13 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Toni Rajala, Philippe Cornet, Harrison Reed (11)

Goals - Toni Rajala (6)

Assists - Harrison Reed (8)

Plus/Minus - Tony DeHart (+8)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (45)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

- Ryan Constant is 11 games away from 300 in his ECHL career

- Ryan Constant is 10 assists away from 100 in his professional career

- Harrison Reed is 7 games away from 300 in his professional career

- Yannick Riendeau is 2 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES

- Toni Rajala is tied for the ECHL lead among rookies with six goals

- Justin Maylan has nine points in seven games, ranking tied for fourth among ECHL rookies

- Tyler Bunz is sixth among ECHL goaltenders with a 2.13 goals against average

- Stockton is off to its best start since 2006-07 and is in first place in the Western Conference at 7-1-1 (15 points)

- Stockton attracted nearly 18,000 fans for three home games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

- Stockton leads the ECHL in goal differential (17)

Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 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.

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