Thunder Weekly: Thunder Rings in New Year

Published on December 31, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 17-9-7, 41 points (2nd Pacific/4th Western Conference)

LAST WEEK: 2-0-1

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

at UTAH GRIZZLIES

Monday, Dec. 31 - 5:05 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 - 6:05 p.m.

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder takes on the Utah Grizzlies at Maverik Center to continue a seven game series between the two teams. The Thunder is 2-0-1 since continuing play from the holiday break and is 2-0-0 against the Grizzlies this season. The last time the two teams met in Utah was on Nov. 12, when the Thunder broke a single game goal scoring record in a 9-6 win. The Grizzlies carry three active players on their roster with NHL experience (Trevor Lewis, Brad Mills and Riley Armstrong). Utah comes off a 6-5 shootout loss against Ontario on Saturday.

vs. ALASKA ACES

Friday, Jan. 4 - 7:30 p.m.

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Arena welcomes the Thunder back for the first set of home games in the 2013 calendar year, beginning on Friday against the Alaska Aces. The Thunder is 28-28-15 against Alaska in the lifetime series. Alaska carries four players with NHL playing experience on their roster: forwards Scott Gomez, Brandon Dubinsky, Joey Crabb and Nate Thompson. The Thunder is 2-3-1 against Alaska this season and last faced the Aces on Dec. 22 in a 4-1 defeat at Sullivan Arena.

vs. COLORADO EAGLES

Saturday, Jan. 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Radio: StocktonThunder.com

The Thunder continues its season series with the Colorado Eagles on Saturday, starting a stretch of four consecutive games between the two teams which eventually concludes next week in Colorado. The Thunder is 1-1-0 against the Eagles this season and last faced them on Dec. 15 in a 2-1 defeat at Stockton Arena. Saturday's game concludes a stretch where the Thunder will have played 14 games in 24 days.

2012-13 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Toni Rajala (35) - T-8, ECHL

Goals -Toni Rajala (17) - T-5, ECHL

Assists - Yannick Riendeau (25) - 6th, ECHL

Plus/Minus - Eric Hunter (+16) - T-3, ECHL

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (136) - 2nd, ECHL

UPCOMING MILESTONES

- Ryan Constant is 3 assists away from 100 in his professional career

- Yannick Riendeau is 9 assists away from 100 in his professional career

- Mike Little is 5 games away from 100 in his Thunder career

TEAM NOTES

- Toni Rajala is tied for eighth in ECHL scoring with 35 points

- Yannick Riendeau leads the ECHL with a current eight game (home) assist streak

- Justin Maylan is second in ECHL rookie scoring with 29 points

- Stockton is 10-0-2 when leading after one period

- Stockton ranks second in the ECHL at 23.9 percent on the power play

- Stockton is 10-3-2 at home this season

WEEK IN REVIEW

LV 3 - STK 2 (OT) (12/29/12): A total of 6,431 fans saw the final Thunder home game of the year at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The 2012 finale saw a back-and-forth battle decided by Adam Hughesman's goal in overtime, as the Stockton Thunder (17-9-7, 41 points) fell to the Las Vegas Wranglers 3-2. Forwards Yannick Riendeau and Philippe Cornet (first game back from the AHL) each found the back of the net. Goaltender Cody Reichard (7-2-4) recorded 42 saves for the Thunder, while Las Vegas' Joe Fallon stopped 28 in net. The Thunder only had four defenseman activated for the game.

STK 6 - BAK 3 (12/28/12): Eric Hunter and Justin Maylan each buried two goals while goaltender Tyler Bunz made 21 saves to lift the Stockton Thunder (17-9-6, 40 points) to a 6-3 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who led wire to wire in the game and improved to 6-1-1 this season over their division rivals, buried a pair of power play goals and collected multi point games from Teigan Zahn and Yannick Riendeau as well.

STK 4 - BAK 2 (12/27/12): Matt Bergland collected a goal and an assist while goaltender Tyler Bunz made 29 saves to help the Stockton Thunder (16-9-6, 38 points) boom past the Bakersfield Condors in a 4-2 victory before 3,332 fans at Rabobank Arena on Thursday. Four unanswered goals powered the Thunder attack and Bergland was joined by Toni Rajala, Teigan Zahn and Phil Mangan, who each contributed with a goal. Bunz snapped a 0-5-3 streak with the win and made 23 saves in the final 40 minutes.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS - UPCOMING HOME GAMES

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 4 vs. Alaska Aces (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Jan. 5 vs. Colorado Eagles (7:30 p.m.)

WHAT: WALL CLING GIVEAWAY

The first 1,000 fans (ages 13 and over on Friday and ages 12 and under on Saturday) in attendance will receive a Thunder wall cling, perfect for the bedroom, den or game room!

Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.

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