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Thunder Weekly Dec. 6-12

December 6, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 11-4-4, 26 points (1st Pacific Division, T-2 Western Conferernce) LAST WEEK: 3-0-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT) at Bakersfield Condors Friday (7:30 p.m.) Radio: 1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com The Stockton Thunder, entering the week at first place in the Pacific Division, ends a four-game road trip on Friday to visit Bakersfield Condors. Friday's game is the fifth of 11 meetings between both clubs and the last time both teams met, the Thunder defeated Bakersfield, 4-0 at Stockton Arena on Nov. 7. The Thunder is 20-17-11 lifetime against the Condors through six seasons and is 3-0-1 in the head-to-head series. Dating back to February of the 2009-10 season, the Thunder is 3-0-2 in the last five games at Rabobank Arena, including two games in the Kelly Cup Playoff's National Conference Semifinal. The Thunder are the only team yet to lose on the road in regulation this season in the ECHL (6-0-2).

vs. Utah Grizzlies Saturday (7:30 p.m.) Radio: StocktonThunder.com A battle featuring two of the top three teams in the Western Conference, the Thunder faces the Utah Grizzlies for the second meeting of this season at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The Thunder is 12-17-3, lifetime against Utah. The last meeting between both teams was on Nov. 26, when Utah defeated Stockton, 3-2 at Stockton Arena. The second of 11 games against Utah this season, Friday's game is the final at home before the Holiday break. Stockton is 5-4-1 at home this season. **Denotes Saturday's broadcast online only

The Thunder and Fat's Grill and Bar have partnered for this season for "Thunder Watch Party" nights (shown through AmericaOne) during all Thunder road games. Fans attending will have an opportunity to win prizes, enjoy drink specials and participate in a festive atmosphere while cheering on the Thunder. It is located at 4555 North Pershing Avenue in Stockton and just minutes away from Stockton Arena. Fat's Grill and Bar is a three-time "Best of San Joaquin" Award winner in The Record and features 15 television monitors and four satellite dishes, an array of acclaimed entrees, pizzas, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS Stockton Arena "Fan Attic" The "Fan Attic," the official team store of the Stockton Thunder, will open its doors during the holidays on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday from Noon-5:00 p.m. Additionally, shopping for the ideal holiday gift, no matter what time or day, can be experienced by visiting www.stocktonfanattic.com.

Saturday, December 11 vs. Utah Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m. FLEECE BLANKET GIVEAWAY presented by The Record, Angelina's Spaghetti House and KHOP 95.1 - The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free, limited edition Thunder fleece blanket, perfect for games or the cold nights!

Wednesday, December 29 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:00 p.m. WOOD HOCKEY STICK GIVEAWAY presented by California Welding Supply, Food-4-Less and Rancho San Miguel and KAT Country 103 - The first 1,000 fans (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a free, limited edition Thunder wooden hockey stick!

FAMILY NIGHT - Bring the whole family out for just $34 - includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 soft drinks and a $4 merchandise coupon at the Thunder "Fan Attic"! Purchase at www.StocktonThunder.com.

Thursday December 30 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:00 p.m. WOOD HOCKEY STICK GIVEAWAY presented by California Welding Supply, Food-4-Less and Rancho San Miguel and 104.1 The Hawk - The first 1,000 fans (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a free, limited edition Thunder wooden hockey stick!

TEAM LEADERS: Points - Chris D'Alvise (17) Goals - Chris D'Alvise (10) Assists - Jason Pitton, Aaron Clarke, Chris Lawrence (9) Plus/Minus - Jason Pitton (+8) Penalty Minutes - Ryan Constant (47)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

Aaron Clarke is 12 assists away from 100 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 10 points away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 27 games away from 300 in his professional career

Jim McKenzie is 18 games away from 200 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

Anthony Aiello is tied for T-12 among ECHL defensemen with 11 points (3g-8a)

Bryan Pitton is fifth among ECHL goaltenders with a 2.25 goals-against-average

Pierre-Andre Bureau scored two goals, including the first in his pro career, on Dec. 4 vs. Victoria

Stockton is second in the ECHL in least shots allowed per game (26.6)

Stockton is second in ECHL attendance with 64,260 fans (5,842 average)

Stockton is 6-0-2 on the road and the last remaining team in the ECHL yet to lose a game in regulation, on the road

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

Tue., DEC. 7 10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

Wed., DEC. 8 10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

Thurs., DEC. 9 10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

Fri., DEC. 10 8:30 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena Travel to Bakersfield after skate 7:30 p.m. - GAME at BAKERSFIELD 1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com *** Travel back to Stockton immediately after game

Sat., DEC. 11 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., DEC. 12 Day off

Mon., DEC. 13 10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

WEEK IN REVIEW STK 5 - VIC 4 (OT) (12/4/10): Fraser Clair capped a two-goal game with game-winning goal, coming with 21.9 seconds remaining in sudden death overtime to lift the Thunder to a 5-4 overtime win over the Victoria Salmon Kings, before a crowd of 3,363 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Saturday. Clair, who broke a 12-game goal-scoring drought with the effort, capped off a five-point run in the last two games and converted Chris Lawrence's centering pass from the left corner at the goal mouth to boost the Thunder to a three-game road sweep of Victoria and a team record 6-0-2 streak on the road. Pierre-Andre Bureau capped off a two-goal game (first goal in his pro career) and Lawrence also chipped in with two points (1g-1a). Goaltender Bryan Pitton improved to 7-0-1 with 33 saves.

STK 5 - VIC 3 (12/3/10): Defensemen Anthony Aiello tied a career-high with two goals and Bryan Pitton made 28 saves to lift the Thunder to a 5-3 victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings, before 4,479 fans at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday night. The Thunder improved to a club record 5-0-2 (longest road unbeaten streak) on the road. Aiello's two goals produced points spread out among the blueline, including Cameron Brodie (one assist) and Dan Ringwald (one assist). Chris Lawrence, Mark Arcobello and Garet Hunt also chipped in with a goal each.

STK 3 - VIC 2 (SO) (12/1/10): Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 29 saves in his return from the American Hockey League and stopped three attempts in a shootout to boost the Thunder to a 3-2 shootout victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings before a crowd of 3,010 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday. The Thunder, who reclaimed sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division and snapped a four-game winless skid in regulation, remained unbeaten on the road as well at 4-0-2 this season. Pitton, who improved to 5-0-2 in the ECHL, stopped Rick Cleaver, Matt Siddall and Chad Painchaud in the shootout and also came up with a game-saving stop on Matt Siddall in the remaining seconds of overtime.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"We came out with great confidence, and they took that confidence away from us. ... It was a great point for us on the road. There wasn't a lot of pressure on us in OT and I think the guys just played a little looser and with a little more confidence than we did (in regulation)."

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas after Stockton's 5-4 win in overtime at Victoria, The Record (Dec. 5, 2010)

"I was not expecting to play, but I was more than ready to do it," Pitton said. "I was a little tired, and at the beginning it took me a little while to get into it. But the boys did a great job in front of me."

Goaltender Bryan Pitton after returning from the AHL to boost Stockton to a 3-2 shootout win at Victoria, The Record (Dec. 2, 2010)

THUNDER 2010-11 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS: http://echl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=10&season_id=17&leagueId=1&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine for the third straight year, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 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/.



ECHL Stories from December 6, 2010


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