Thunder Staying In Playoff Hunt, Home For Four

March 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS (Tuesday - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder, who holds the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division entering the second-to-last week of the regular season, starts a stretch of four games in six nights, all at home, beginning Tuesday at Stockton Arena against the Victoria Salmon Kings. The Thunder is 11-15-3 lifetime against the Salmon Kings and is 4-5-0 against the Salmon Kings this season. The last time both teams met was on Jan. 28 when the Thunder defeated Victoria 2-0. Thunder goaltender Andrew Perugini notched the first shutout of his pro career in the game. Veteran Cory Urquhart leads the Thunder with seven points (1g-6a) in eight games.

vs. UTAH GRIZZLIES (Friday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder hosts the Utah Grizzlies on Friday, continuing a stretch of four games in six which also marks the beginning of three games in three days at Stockton Arena. Friday's game marks the eighth and final meeting between both teams. Through 30 games in the lifetime series, the Thunder is 11-16-3 against Utah. The Thunder is 2-1-0 this season at home against Utah and last time both clubs met, the Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 5-1 at Stockton Arena on Mar. 19.

vs. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS (Sunday- 4:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder ends the regular season home schedule Sunday against the Las Vegas Wranglers, the third time both teams meet in Stockton this year. The Thunder is 2-1-0 against the Wranglers this season. The Thunder has a lifetime record of 6-16-1 against Las Vegas. The teams last met on Feb. 25 at Stockton Arena and the Thunder defeated Las Vegas 3-1. Following today's game, the Thunder will have two games remaining on the regular season schedule - both at Las Vegas. On Sunday, the Thunder will be saluting their fans with a myriad of giveaways in the quest for the team's fourth straight league attendance title on "Fan Appreciation Day."

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.

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!

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, March 27, 2009 vs. Utah, 7:30 p.m.

GROUP APPRECIATION NIGHT

- Discounted tickets for all groups who attended a Thunder game earlier this season (when purchased in advance)!

PLAYER POSTER GIVEAWAY (presented by KHOP 95.1 and In-Shape Health Clubs)

- All fans in attendance will receive a collectible poster featuring Thunder players Mike Lalonde, Andrew Perugini and Craig Valette!

I AM HERE! NIGHT (presented by Chase Chevrolet and Food-4-Less)

- Students who achieved school attendance goals for a recent grading period will receive free tickets for today's game!

Saturday, March 28, 2009 vs. Victoria, 7:30 p.m.

EQUIPMENT BAG GIVEAWAY (presented by Comcast & 97.7/98.3 KWIN)

- The first 2,000 kids (ages 17 and under) receive a free Thunder equipment bag!

NEVER-A-WASTED TICKET NIGHT

Sunday, March 29, 2009 vs. Las Vegas, 4:00 p.m.

FAN APPRECIATION DAY

- Special giveaways and more to salute the most loyal fans in the ECHL!

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.

TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Ryan Huddy (68)

Goals - Ryan Huddy (32)

Assists - Ryan Huddy (36)

Plus/Minus - Daryl Marcoux (+13)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (235)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Matt O'Dette is 9 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Damian Surma is 6 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Cory Urquhart is 2 assists away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

- Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder with a club-record 32 goals

- Left wing Igor Gongalsky tied a season-high with three points (assists) last Saturday vs. Bakersfield

- Huddy's 68 points (32g-36a) is tied with Joel Irwin for the Thunder single-season scoring record

- Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6193 fans

- Stockton is 2-2 in overtimes and 3-0 in shootouts since the arrival of Thunder head coach Matt Thomas on Dec. 29

- Stockton is 4-of-13 in the last three games on the power-play

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE. MARCH 24:

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

5:30 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:00 p.m. - GAME VS. VICTORIA (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

WED. MARCH 25:

Day off

THURS, MARCH 26:

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

FRI, MARCH 27:

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

6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. UTAH (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

SAT, MARCH 28:

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

6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. VICTORIA (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

SUN. MARCH 29:

No morning skate

2:30 p.m. - Media availability ends

4:00 p.m. - GAME vs. LAS VEGAS (Stockton Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

MON. MARCH 30:

Day off

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"It was tough to get down like that on those calls, but we worked hard and that was a big play by Ryan," Thunder forward David Rohlfs said.

- Rohlfs on the Thunder forcing overtime in a 4-3 overtime defeat vs. Bakersfield, The Record, 3/23/09

"I think the break helped a bit. It was definitely good for my legs," Perugini said. "I think it helped everybody. We were very focused. We really had them stymied."

- Goaltender Andrew Perugini after a 3-0 shutout win at Ontario, following a 9-day layoff, The Record, 3/19/09

STOCKTON THUNDER STATISTICS (as of Mar. 23, 2009)

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season Ticket packages are on sale now for the 2009-10 season. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.



ECHL Stories from March 23, 2009


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