Thunder Win Two In Victoria, Prepare For Playoff Rematch

Published on October 27, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

at LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS (Friday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder continues a six-game road trip against the Las Vegas Wranglers, a rematch of last year's National Conference Quarterfinal round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Las Vegas won the best-of-seven series in six games, 4-2, and advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in club history. It is the first of seven meetings between both teams and the Thunder has a lifetime record of 4-15-1 against Las Vegas.

at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Saturday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder finishes six-game road trip, the second longest of the 2008-09 season, on Saturday against the Bakersfield Condors from Rabobank Arena. It is the second of nine games against the Condors for the 2008-09 season and the Thunder dropped a 7-4 defeat at Bakersfield on Oct. 22. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 10-9-7 against Bakersfield and went 4-4-1 in the season series last year. Mike Lalonde has scored 14 points (7g-7a) in 14 games (all-time) against Bakersfield.

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.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Friday and Saturday, November 7-8 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:30 p.m.

THUNDER GOES PINK III (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center)

- The Thunder will wear pink jerseys (to be auctioned off, live, after the Nov. 8 game, with proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society - Stockton Field Office and St. Joseph's Foundation - Breast Cancer Services), the first 2,000 female fans in attendance will receive a pink Thunder visor, first 2,000 kids (12 and under) in attendance will receive pink glow sticks. Additionally, pink cheer cards will be distributed to each family.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Mike Lalonde is 15 points away from surpassing Nathan Martz as the Thunder career leader in scoring
o Cory Urquhart is one game away from 200 in his ECHL career
o Nathan Saunders is six games away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Cory Urquhart is on a five-game scoring streak and has nine points (3g-6a) in that span
o Bryan Pitton has 92 saves (2-1-0 record) in his last three games
o Rookie Garet Hunt has three points (2g-1a) and is +4 in his last three games
o Stockton is fourth in the ECHL for power-play percentage (25.0 percent)
o Stockton has scored 16 goals in its first 5 games

WEEK IN REVIEW

Sunday, October 26: STOCKTON 3 - VICTORIA 1

James Bates scored two points (1g-1a) which included his first career pro goal and rookie goaltender Bryan Pitton made 25 saves to help guide the Thunder (2-3-0, 4 points) to a 3-1 victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings, before a crowd of 3,733 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Sunday. Bryan Lerg scored the eventual game-winning goal, a shorthanded marker in the second period while Justin Chwedoruk added an insurance goal in the third period.

Saturday, October 25: VICTORIA 5 - STOCKTON 2

Wes Goldie scored two goals while linemate Dan Gendur tallied two points (1g-2a), helping the Victoria Salmon Kings send the Thunder (1-3-0, 2 points) to a 5-2 defeat before a crowd of 4,192 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Saturday. The Thunder were outshot 42-20 in the game. Victoria goaltender Jonathan Boutin made 18 saves to garner his first win of the season. Cory Urquhart and Neil Petruic were the Thunder goal-scorers, while Urquhart registered his third straight multi-point game.

Friday, October 24: STOCKTON 5 - VICTORIA 2

Rookie Garet Hunt scored the first two goals of his pro career and Justin Chwedoruk tallied a three-point night (1g-2a) to help guide the Stockton Thunder (1-2-0, 2 points) to its first victory of the regular season in a 5-2 win over the host Victoria Salmon Kings, before a crowd of 6,602 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday night. Rookie goaltender Bryan Pitton made 30 saves for the first victory of his professional career, spoiling Victoria's home opener where the club raised its 2008 West Division championship banner in a pre-game ceremony.

Wednesday, October 22: BAKERSFIELD 7 - STOCKTON 4

Rookie Matt Pope scored a hat trick and collected four points (3g-1a) in his second pro game to spark a five unanswered goal rally by the Bakersfield Condors, who sent the Thunder (0-2-0, 0 points) to a 7-4 loss before a crowd of 3,716 at Rabobank Arena on Wednesday. The Thunder outshot the Condors 20-6 in the first period (37-26 for the game) and was led by Cory Urquhart's two-goal and three-point (2g-1a) effort while rookie Bryan Lerg registered three assists in his debut in a Thunder uniform. Bakersfield was aided by a two-goal game from Matt Caruana while Dave McKee made 33 saves.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"I'm used to it. In my second year in juniors I played 61 of 68 games, and I did a lot of (three games in three days)," Pitton said. "You just go out and play."

- Bryan Pitton on the Thunder 3-1 win over Victoria, his third start in as many days, The Record, 10/27/08

"I looked at the schedule in the summer when it came out, and it's a tough task," Cichocki said. "The positive is getting through it and the second-half schedule. But we've got to learn to win on the road pretty quick."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki on the 2008-09 schedule, The Record, 10/22/08

"I'm going to leave it as is until everyone is on board," Cichocki said. "We still have players coming in we want involved."

- Cichocki on selecting a team captain, The Record,10/21/08

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