Thunder Take On Home Playoff Stretch Drive Wed

Published on March 15, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. Victoria Salmon Kings (Wednesday - 7:05 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder, 11-2-4 at home since Dec. 4, open a seven-game homestand on Wednesday against the Victoria Salmon Kings, with 12 games remaining in the regular season. The Thunder, trailing the Bakersfield Condors of the Pacific Division by four points for first place, meet Victoria for the 12th and final time this season. In the last head-to-head matchup, Stockton defeated Victoria, 7-3 on Mar. 6 Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 17-20-5 lifetime against Victoria and is 6-4-1 this year in the head-to-head series, already guaranteed a season series victory over the Salmon Kings.

vs. Utah Grizzlies (Friday, Saturday - 7:30 p.m., Sunday - 4:05 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder face the Utah Grizzlies for the final three meetings this season at Stockton Arena on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Thunder is 11-14-3, lifetime against Utah. The last meeting between both teams was on Mar. 14, when Utah defeated Stockton, 4-3 in a shootout at The E-Center. The series continues a seven-game homestand for the Thunder, who enter the week 11-2-4 at home since Dec. 4. Stockton is 2-0-1 in the last three home games vs. Utah.

1280 AM KWSX is the Thunder's flagship radio station on the road this year 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.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Wednesday, March 17 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:00 p.m.

FAMILY NIGHT (presented 99.3 KJOY and Metro PCS)

- $29 upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, coupon for $4 dollars off the Fan Attic) with coupon available by visiting participating MetroPCS locations. An $84 value.

THUNDER'S ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION

- Two separate ticket packages geared for fans of all tastes - a $19 package including one Lower End Zone ticket, "All You Can Eat" buffet admission, two select adult beverages, a free gift and more! Non-alcoholic $17 package: one Lower End Zone ticket, admission to the "All You Can Eat" buffet, a soft drink and a free hockey gift.

Friday, March 19 vs. Utah Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m.

COMMEMORATIVE CUP GIVEAWAY (presented by KHOP 95.1, InShape Health Clubs, ChemStation and Instant Tax Service)

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 18 and over) in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder cup, the fourth in a series of five cups!

Saturday, March 20 vs. Utah Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m.

REPLICA JERSEY GIVEAWAY (presented by Pepsi, News10, California Welding Supply and KAT Country 103)

- The first 1,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a replica black Thunder replica jersey, similar to what the pros wear!

Sunday, March 21 vs. Utah Grizzlies, 4:00 p.m.

FAMILY DAY (99.3 KJOY and Metro PCS)

- $29 upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, coupon for $4 dollars off the Fan Attic) with coupon available by visiting participating MetroPCS locations. An $84 value.

WEBKINZ GIVEAWAY - TIGER

- The first 500 fans (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a collectible Webkinz plush doll.

THIRD JERSEY GAME

- The Thunder is scheduled to wear their gold-colored third jersey for Sunday's game.

THUNDER IN THE COMMUNITY

Monday, March 15

"Sacramento and Co." (9:00 a.m.)

Thunder center Craig Valette was a guest on News10's "Sacramento and Co." show, previewing this week's four game home set against Victoria and Utah, featuring "Replica Jersey Giveaway" on Saturday!

Sunday, March 21

Sunday Shop Campaign (11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

Thunder mascot "Thor" will represent the team at the Sunday Shop Campaign in Lodi, an event to serve local San Joaquin Valley businesses featuring live music, special prizes and more!

Sunday, March 21

Season Ticket Holder "Skate with the Team" Event (post game)

Thunder players will stick around after the game to skate on the ice of the Stockton Arena with Season Ticket Holders.

KINGS ROOM" PREGAME AND POSTGAME PARTIES FEATURING LIVE MUSIC

Back by popular demand, the Stockton Thunder is hosting pregame and postgame parties inside the new "Kings Room" of Stockton Arena, open before each home game and after each Friday and Saturday home game. A great gathering place for Thunder fans to rally before the game or celebrate a win after, select drink specials and a special food menu is included along with live music throughout the evening! For more information, call the Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

Wednesday (Fan Deck): "Hole In One"

Friday: TBD

Saturday: The Great Oglee Moglee Blues Band

2009-10 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - James Bates (59)

Goals - Chris D'Alvise (26)

Assists - James Bates (37)

Plus/Minus - Daryl Marcoux (+14)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (161)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Oren Eizenman is 10 assists away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 1 point away from 100 in his professional career

o Daryl Marcoux is 5 games away from 200 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES

- Andrew Perugini is tied for second in the ECHL with a.915 save percentage

- Chris D'Alvise is sixth in ECHL rookie scoring with 453 points (26g-27a)

- Oren Eizenman is on a seven-game scoring streak

- Stockton is third in the ECHL with an average of 5,933 fans in attendance (24 home games)

- Stockton's power-play ranks second in the ECHL at 22.7 percent (68-for-300)

- Stockton is 11-2-4 in its last 17 home games

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

TUE, MAR. 16:

Noon - Practice at Stockton Arena

WED, MAR. 17:

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

5:30 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:00 p.m. - GAME VS. VICTORIA

StocktonThunder.com

THURS, MAR. 18:

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

FRI. MAR. 19:

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

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. UTAH

StocktonThunder.com

SAT. MAR. 20:

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

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. UTAH

StocktonThunder.com

SUN. MAR. 21:

No morning skate

4:05 p.m. - GAME VS. UTAH

StocktonThunder.com

MON. MAR. 22:

Day off

WEEK IN REVIEW

UTA 4 - STK 3 (SO) (3/14/10): Two goals in the third period helped the Stockton Thunder (28-24-8, 65 points) claim a point for the second straight road game, ultimately won by the Utah Grizzlies, 4-3 in a shootout before 2,498 fans at The E-Center on Sunday. The Thunder were led by relief goaltender Aaron Sorochan's 32 stops. Kelly Czuy, Colin Hemingway and Chris D'Alvise scored for Stockton, while Utah was led by a pair of goals from Ryan Kinasewich. Mitch O'Keefe picked up the win in net with 36 saves.

STK 6 - UTA 5 (3/13/10) (OT): Winger Matt Robinson converted a backdoor power-play goal with 4:15 left in sudden death overtime to complete a come-from-behind rally by the Thunder in a thrilling 6-5 overtime win over the Utah Grizzlies before 4,910 fans at The E-Center on Saturday night. In breaking an eight-game winless streak in West Valley City (0-7-1) dating back to 2007-08, the Thunder twice rallied from one-goal deficits in the third period and were led by Robinson's career-high four point effort (2g-2a), spelled by a goal and two assists from Chris D'Alvise and a goal and assist from James Bates.

UTA 5 - STK 2 (3/12/10): Veteran forward Lance Galbraith scored twice, Tim Crowder had three assists and goaltender Beau Erickson made 28 saves to help the Utah Grizzlies send the Thunder to a 5-2 defeat before 5,111 fans at The E-Center on Friday night. The Thunder, who stayed seven points behind the first place Bakersfield Condors, received offensive support with two power-play goals from James Bates and Ryan Constant. Utah, who won its third straight over Stockton in The E-Center this season, secured the win with a four-goal effort in the third period.

THUNDER 2009-10 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season tickets for 2009-10 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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ECHL Stories from March 15, 2010


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