Thunder Smashes Offensive Records, Hosts Idaho Friday and Saturday

December 12, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. Idaho Steelheads

Friday and Saturday (7:30 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder wraps up a four game homestand with the final two games before the holiday break, facing the Idaho Steelheads at Stockton Arena on Friday and Saturday. Friday's game marks the second matchup this season between both teams and last season, the Thunder went 7-1-3 against Idaho. The last time both teams met was on Oct. 29 and Stockton defeated Idaho, 4-3 at Stockton Arena. Historically, the Thunder is 25-26-6 against Idaho. Both teams are facing each other 12 times this season, including seven games at Stockton Arena.

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)

Tuesday, DEC. 13

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

Wednesday, DEC. 14

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

Thursday, DEC. 15

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

Friday, DEC. 16

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

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Saturday, DEC. 17

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

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Sunday, DEC. 18

Day off (holiday break)

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

Monday, DEC. 19

Day off (holiday break)

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:30 p.m.

THUNDER STOCKING GIVEAWAY (presented by 97.7/98.3 KWIN and Red Wing Shoes)

- The first 1,000 fans (12 and under) through the turnstiles will receive a limited edition Thunder holiday stocking, perfect for the fireplace or another place for holiday décor!

Saturday, Dec. 17 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:30 p.m.

YOUTH HOLIDAY THEMED JERSEY (presented by Pepsi, Financial Center Credit Union, KHOP 95.1 and AT&T/yp.com)

- The first 1,500 fans (12 and under) will receive a Thunder holiday themed jersey, perfect for that pickup game with your friends or for chilling around the house!

COMMUNITY UPDATE

PLAYER APPEARANCE - RIPON POWER PLAY SPORTS ARENA

Monday, Dec. 12 - Ripon Powerplay Sports Arena (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)

- Come meet Thunder forward Ian O'Connor and defenseman Brock Matheson, who will sign autographs after suiting up as referees in a roller hockey game at Ripon Powerplay Sports Arena!

GIVE MOORE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Wednesday, Dec. 14 - Stockton Arena (12:30 p.m.)

- Thunder players and coaching staff will be on hand at Stockton Arena to greet kids from a local children's shelter with gifts and holiday cheer as part of the Hockey Players 4 Kids' "Give Moore For the Holidays" community outreach program!

PLAYER APPEARANCE - CHASE CHEVROLET OF STOCKTON

Wednesday, Dec. 14 - Chase Chevrolet of Stockton (4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

- Come meet your favorite Thunder players for autographs and photos at Chase Chevrolet of Stockton!

FAN ATTIC SEASON TICKET HOLDER ITEM OF THE WEEK

$5 off men's t-shirts

Thunder Season Ticket Holders can take advantage of the new offer for the Item of the Week of 2011-12 and take advantage of $5 off men's t-shirts. This offer lasts through Saturday's home game against Idaho and is available in person at the Stockton Arena Fan Attic. The Fan Attic is also open for holiday hours from Noon 5-p.m., each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until Dec. 24.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

BAK 5 - STK 2 (12/11/11): Peter Boyd, Parker Stanfield and Robbie Dee each scored one goal and added an assist to help the Bakersfield Condors send the Stockton Thunder (12-9-3, 27 points) to a 5-2 defeat at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder, who claimed four points in the three game weekend series against Bakersfield, were aided by rookie Jesse Fratkin's two goal effort in the loss. The Condors ended a franchise record 12 game winless skid and goaltender Matt Keetley earned his first win since November 2 with 17 saves.

STK 9 - BAK 6 (12/10/11): Kevin Baker collected his first hat trick in a Stockton Thunder (12-8-3, 27 points) uniform and the Thunder broke a pair of offensive records, winning in a 9-6 rout of the division rival Bakersfield Condors before a crowd of 6,750 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who completed the feat with just eight true forwards in the lineup, reached a new franchise pinnacle for most goals in one game (9) and combined with the Condors to score 15 goals, breaking the previous mark of 13 set on three previous occasions. Ten different Thunder players enjoyed multi point games and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk earned 28 saves - many on quality scoring chances - en route to the win.

STK 3 - BAK 1 (12/9/11): Matt Foy and Jordan Foreman each collected two assists and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk made 31 saves to help the Stockton Thunder (11-8-3, 23 points) knock off the Bakersfield Condors in a 3-1 victory at Rabobank Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who scored three unanswered goals and ended a three game road trip at 2-1-0, helped head coach Matt Thomas earn his second consecutive win over his counterpart and former assistant coach, Matt O'Dette. Kevin Baker, Bretton Cameron and Ian O'Connor each posted a goal as a part of the Thunder attack.

LV 4 - STK 2 (12/6/11): Ash Goldie scored a goal, added an assist and goaltender Joe Fallon made 26 saves to help the Las Vegas Wranglers send the Stockton Thunder (10-8-3, 23 points) to a 4-2 defeat before 2,525 fans at Orleans Arena on Tuesday night. The Thunder were unable to recover from two separate two goal deficits in the second and third periods and fell to 1-1-0 on a three game road trip.

2011-12 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Matt Foy (19)

Goals - Kevin Baker (12)

Assists - Matt Foy (12)

Plus/Minus - Jesse Fratkin (+4)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (120) *

*leads ECHL

UPCOMING MILESTONES

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

- Matt Foy is 2 assists away from 100 in his professional career

- Garet Hunt is 1 game away from 200 in his Thunder career

TEAM NOTES

- Kevin Baker collected his first hat trick of the season on Saturday vs. Bakersfield

- Matt Foy has scored 9 points (2g-7a) in the last 5 games

- Jesse Fratkin has scored 7 points (3g-4a) in the last 5 games

- Stockton broke a team record with nine goals on Saturday in a 9-6 win vs. Bakersfield

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

- Stockton became the last team in the ECHL, this season, to give up a shorthanded goal on Saturday vs. Bakersfield

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.

For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.



ECHL Stories from December 12, 2011


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