Thunder Weekly: First Round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs Launches Tuesday

Published on April 5, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER 2010-11 OVERALL RECORD: 37-22-13, 86 points (2nd, Pacific Division/3rd, Western Conference)

LAST WEEK: 2-1-0

WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINAL: (all times PT)

Radio: 1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Game 1: Stockton at Utah - Tuesday, April 5 - 6:05 p.m. (Maverik Center)

Game 2: Stockton at Utah - Wednesday, April 6 - 6:05 p.m. (Maverik Center)

Game 3: Utah at Stockton - Saturday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Utah at Stockton - Sunday, April 10 - 4:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 5: Utah at Stockton - Tuesday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

* If necessary

The third-seeded Thunder will open the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the sixth-seeded Utah Grizzlies, a best-of-five series that follows a "2-3" format. The match-up, is the first time the Thunder and Grizzlies will meet in the playoffs. Last season, the Thunder advanced to the Conference Final and Utah advanced to the second round. It marks the Thunder's fifth straight playoff appearance and five in six seasons since joining the ECHL. The Grizzlies are making their fourth straight playoff appearance. The Thunder finished 7-3-1 against the Grizzlies this season and 5-1-1 at Maverik Center.

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

"GOING FOR THE GOLD" presented by Golden Bear Insurance Company

- The Thunder will wear gold jerseys at home for the Kelly Cup Playoffs while fans are also encouraged to wear gold ! Special giveaway for the first home game includes free gold rally towels to the first 500 fans ages 13 and older and the first 500 kids 12 and under will receive a set of gold ThunderStix.

$5, Thunder Playoff "Fan Packs" will also be available at the Stockton Arena "Fan Attic" team store and include a set of gold "ThunderStix" and a gold playoff "rally towel." Playoff-themed t-shirts will also be available featuring a special Kelly Cup Playoff design as well as playoff pucks and playoff beards.

TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Chris Lawrence (54)

Goals - Chris Lawrence (22)

Assists - Chris Lawrence (32)

Plus/Minus - Chris Lawrence (+20)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (248)

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

APR. 5-6

6:05 a.m. - GAMES 1 & 2 at UTAH

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Saturday, APR. 9

7:30 p.m. - GAME 3 vs. UTAH

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Sunday, APR. 10 (if necessary)

4:00 p.m. - GAME 4 vs. UTAH

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

WEEK IN REVIEW STK 4 - LV 3 (4/2/11): Defenseman Jordan Bendfeld picked up a game winning goal, added an assist and goaltender Tyson Sexsmith had a season high 36 stops, tying a career-high, to lift the Stockton Thunder (37-23-12, 84 points) to a 4-3 victory against the Las Vegas Wranglers, closing the regular season before 6,122 fans on Saturday at Orleans Arena. The Thunder, who tied Bakersfield for first place in the Pacific Division but earned the #3 seed in the Western Conference with the tie-breaker favoring Bakersfield, finished with a 7-1-3 sprint in the final 11 games and will face the Utah Grizzlies in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, owning home ice advantage.

STK 3 - LV 2 (4/1/11): Center P.A. Bureau scored a goal, added an assist and Tyson Sexsmith made 31 stops in net to lift the Stockton Thunder (36-23-12, 84 points) to a 3-2 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers before a crowd of 4,408 at Orleans Arena on Friday night. The critical win kept the Thunder within one point of the first place Bakersfield Condors, who defeated Utah, 3-1 earlier in the evening. The Thunder also earned its first win of the season against Las Vegas, defeating the Wranglers for the first time since March 28 of last season and broke a franchise record with its 18th road win this season. Sexsmith outdueled counterpart Michael Ouzas, who took the loss with 22 stops.

LV 2 - STK 1 (3/30/11): Colin Long denied a third period comeback attempt by the Stockton Thunder (35-23-12, 82 points), scoring a go-ahead goal with 10.1 seconds left in regulation to boost the Las Vegas Wranglers to a 2-1 victory before 5,388 fans at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. Long provided Las Vegas' offense with a pair of goals, denying the Thunder a chance to take over first place in the Pacific Division after Ontario defeated Bakersfield, 7-5 earlier in the evening. Stockton's lone goal was scored by Jordan Fulton, who earned his 18th goal of the season. The win drew Las Vegas to within a point of the Thunder in the division, anchored by Michael Ouzas' 34 stops. Thunder goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made 22 saves, absorbing his first defeat in regulation since returning from the AHL.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(Courtesy of The Record)

"We try to be there when we can to help the players, coaches and everyone associated with the team," said booster club president Elaine Ugarkovich. "There are a lot of things that are necessary that we hope we can take care of for them. We're a good group of people who love the sport and want to do our part."

- Elaine Ugarkovich of Stockton, on the involvement of fans and the Thunder (Apr. 4, 2011)

"We've had our ups and downs, but I've been pleased with how we've played overall, and I thought we played a very solid game (on Saturday)," Thomas said. "It's very important to be playing well going into the playoffs."

- Thunder head coach Mat t Thomas after Stockton defeated Las Vegas, 4-3 (Apr. 3, 2011)

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/.

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