The Stockton Thunder / A Season In Review DVD

The Stockton Thunder will have a DVD coming out soon portraying the 2009/10 season highlights. Here is the preview for the DVD. It looks great doesn't it?

Stay tuned to Oilers Jambalaya and OilFieldHockey.com for more great news on this DVD.

"A preview, coming soon to DVD, ThunderVision takes you on a thrill ride of the entire 2009-10 hockey season and Kelly Cup Playoffs - complete with highlights, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and more!"

*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL)*

Stockton Thunder / What A Season

WHAT A SEASON!

05/13/2010 6:04 PM

(photo by George Steckler)

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The Stockton Thunder salutes and thanks all loyal hockey fans of Northern California for what was yet another memorable season in 2009-10, climaxing with the longest playoff run in franchise history!

Stay tuned into StocktonThunder.com for updates and surprises throughout the entire offseason, including the 2010-11 schedule, free agent signings and more!

GET ON-BOARD: 2010-11 Season Tickets
GET SWAG: Thunder merchandise
VIDEO: Season highlights and interviews, on-demand!
AUDIO: Recaps of the season and podcasts at your fingertips

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, 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 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//.

Written by the Stockton Thunder

Stockton Thunder Lose Game 6 / The Season Is Over / A Game Recap

GAME 6 RECAP: Idaho 7 - Stockton 5

05/11/2010 10:46 PM

THAT'S FINAL
Longest playoff run in Thunder history ends in Game 6 elimination, 7-5, Idaho advances to Kelly Cup Final

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights

STOCKTON, Calif. - John-Scott Dickson recorded a natural hat trick to help the Idaho Steelheads eliminate the Stockton Thunder, who nearly erased a three-goal deficit in the final 12 minutes of play, in a 7-5 final in Game 6 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,200 fans at Qwest Arena on Tuesday.

Idaho, looking to claim their third Kelly Cup title, won the Conference Final series in six games, 4-2 and advanced to their third appearance in the Kelly Cup Final in the last six seasons. The game ended the longest playoff run in Thunder history (its first trip to the Conference Final) and closed the second straight season that Stockton played into the month of May.

The Thunder, who originally claimed a 2-0 lead before Idaho's four-goal rally in the second period, were helped out by goals from Steve Vanoosten, Jason Pitton, Garet Hunt, Matt Marquardt and Kelly Czuy.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho 6 at Stockton 3
Game 6: Stockton 5 at Idaho 7
Idaho wins series, 4-2

"It stings, no question about it; we had a feeling coming into the playoffs that we had the horses to deliver a championship to the city of Stockton this year," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Idaho got some timely goals and were able to capitalize on our mistakes. Yet, we come out of this playoff run with our heads held high as an organization. We have the best fans, best building, best ownership and atmosphere that anybody looking to advance their career in hockey can benefit from. Our future is bright."

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Garet Hunt personified a resilient Thunder effort, tying the game, 3-3 after Idaho erased a two-goal deficit in the second period. (photo by Steve Conner)

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The Thunder roared out to their two-goal lead after the first period, maintaining control on a physical attack that produced an array of high-quality scoring chances on goaltender Rejean Beauchemin, who started for the second straight game with Richard Bachman up to the AHL on emergency recall.Vanoosten's power-play goal put the Thunder on the board with 5:39 into the game, taking Oren Eizenman's feed and ripping a one-timer to the back of the net, from the high slot for his second goal of the postseason.

Pitton converted off an Idaho turnover to boost the cushion to 2-0 with two minutes left in the period, firing a slapshot fro the right circle that was going wide of the net, but ricocheted off Idaho defenseman Guillaume Monast and past Beauchemin.

Dickson then single-handedly boosted Idaho to the lead with a natural hat trick in the second period, starting with a rebound goal at the left circle with 3:48 elapsed. Just 1:57 later, his rebound (goal originally credited to Evan Barlow) through a pile-up at the top of the crease fluttered over a fallen Andrew Perugini that tied the score, 2-2.

Then at 9:29, Dickson picked the top right corner of the net on a snap shot from the mid-slot, completing the hat trick after he corralled a Marty Flichel outlet pass.

The Thunder fought back to knot the score, 3-3, on Hunt's third goal of the playoffs with 7:23 left in the period. After Hunt was pushed into Beauchemin, he regained his ground, took Pitton's pass from the left corner and roofed a one-timer from the top of the crease.

Yet, Idaho claimed the lead again on a Mark McCutcheon rebound with 3:35 left in the period after Perugini turned away Mark Derlago's snap shot at the right circle.

Idaho then embarked on a two-goal rush in a span of 3:20 to assume a commanding 6-3 lead early in the final period off two outnumbered attack chances. Kevin DeVirgilio converted off a Thunder turnover and Evan Barlow's cross-ice pass when he slammed in a one-timer from the left circle with 1:30 elapsed.

Derlago's second goal of the series and fifth of the playoffs pushed the Thunder into a 6-3 hole with 15:10 remaining on a wrist shot at the right circle, closing a 3-on-1 break.

The Thunder, attempting a furious rally to save the game, called timeout after the goal and got momentum back in their favor on Marquardt's snap shot from off the rush with 12:10 left in the game, closing the gap to 6-4.

After a penalty kill on a Czuy boarding penalty, it was Czuy, himself who got the Thunder back in the game on a power-play goal, down 6-5, with 2:21 left in the game on a one-timer at the goal mouth that beat Beauchemin through the five-hole.

The Thunder pulled Perugini for an extra attacker and after several chances in the Idaho zone, the Steelheads closed the series with Flichel's empty net goal with 12 seconds left.

Beauchemin picked up the win with 24 saves. Perugini, who was making his first start in net since Game 2 of the series, closed his postseason record at 7-5 with a 37-save effort.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Igor Gongalsky (injury, day-to-day) and Justin DaCosta (healthy) ... Idaho outshot Stockton, 44-29 ... the Thunder power-play converted perfectly, 3-for-3 in the game after amassing just four man advantage goals in six previous playoff road games ... Stockton scored an ECHL leading 62 goals in its postseason run (at the time of its exit), a new Thunder playoff record ... James Bates now ranks as the Thunder all-time playoff scoring leader with 30 points (9g-21a) in 29 games ... Eizenman finished as the Thunder scoring leader with 19 points (3g-16a) in 15 games in this year's postseason.

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, and a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, 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 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//.

THREE STARS:
1. IDH - 15 John-Scott Dickson
2. IDH - 20 Evan Barlow
3. IDH - 16 Marty Flichel

Written by the Stockton Thunder

Stockton Thunder Lose A Late Game Thriller / A Game Recap

GAME 5 RECAP: Idaho 6 - Stockton 3

05/08/2010 9:23 PM

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Disallowed goal, Flichel's two goals sends Thunder to 3-2 series deficit

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Idaho Steelheads used a pair of goals from Marty Flichel in a three-goal, second period effort to outlast the Stockton Thunder, 6-3 in Game 5 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs before 4,521 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who trailed 4-3 late in the game and nearly tied it with 3:30 left in regulation, had a one-timer goal by Oren Eizenman waved off. Eizenman fired a shot from the high slot that appeared to beat Rejean Beauchemin under the crossbar with the puck zipping out. But the ruling, which interpreted the puck hit the crossbar, negated the goal.

Stockton, who fell 3-2 in the series, now faces elimination for the first time in the postseason. Colin Hemingway, James Bates and Matt Robinson scored for the Thunder. Beauchemin took the win in net with 13 saves, who made his first start of the playoffs in place of injured goaltender Richard Bachman.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho 6 at Stockton 3
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"We feel pretty strongly that Oren's shot hit the back bar, but unfortunately the final decision doesn't rest in our hands," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's a moot point now, so we need to move forward and win our next game. That's all we're thinking. Our backs are against the wall but we have a lot of fight left in us. I wasn't too pleased with our execution, but we still had a chance to win the hockey game. That's the positive thing about all of this. I know it, we know it and we're putting it behind us."

Bates got the Thunder on the board with his third goal of the playoffs at 7:56 of the first period, taking Matt Robinson's feed and sliding a backhanded deke through the five-hole of Rejean Beauchemin.

James Bates posted his fifth multi-point game of the playoffs.

(photo by George Steckler)

Idaho responded with a Flichel power-play goal, knotting the score, 1-1 with 6:16 left in the period when Flichel wired a slap shot to the upper right corner of the net after corralling an outlet pass from Dustin Friesen.

A wild, five-goal outburst in the second period combined by both teams had Idaho coming out with a 4-3 edge after 40 minutes. Beginning a stretch of a four goals in a span of 1:15, Mark Derlago fired a slap shot past Bryan Pitton from the left circle, giving the 2-1 lead to Idaho with 9:11 left in the period.

Brothers Colin and Brett Hemingway connected on a give-and-go play just 25 seconds later, with a snap shot by Colin from the left circle tying the score at 2-2.

Guillaume Monast's drive from the right point put Idaho ahead, 3-2 at 12:14 but the Thunder countered on the ensuing shift, 18 seconds later. James Bates found Robinson in the slot, who whistled a wrist shot past Beauchemin's blocker to tie the game, 3-3.

Flichel's second goal of the game restored Idaho's lead at 4-3, burying a one-timer from the slot on a pass by Derlago from behind the net.

The Thunder then missed on several close-range chances, including a J.F. Caudron snap shot from off the rush at the left circle, and a rebound at the left side of the crease that Robinson missed to an open net, wide from a tight angle.

Eizenman's one-timer that beat Beauchemin, but went to review, stopped play for several minutes. Just 2:08 later, Evan Barlow converted off a turnover at center ice and put Idaho up 5-3 on a snap shot from the left circle.

The Thunder pulled Bryan Pitton for an extra attacker and following a series of close-range chances, Mark McCutcheon spun a loose puck from the left boards into the empty net, from nearly 180 feet to close the score at 6-3 with 18.9 seconds left.

Pitton took his first loss of the postseason with 26 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Garet Hunt (healthy), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Chris D'Alvise (injury, day-to-day) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... Idaho outshot Stockton, 32-16 ... the Thunder were held to an 0-for-4 clip on the power-play ... Stockton took only its fourth loss in the last 14 lifetime playoff games at home ... among those in attendance were ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna and retired NHL referee Rob Shick.

The Thunder, looking to stay alive in the postseason, return to play for Game 6 of the series against the Steelheads at Qwest Arena on Tuesday, May 11 at 6:10 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

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 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/.

THREE STARS:
1. IDH - 16 Marty Flichel
2. STK - 28 James Bates
3. IDH - 10 Mark Derlago

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder Even Up Series With Massive Blowout / A Game Recap

GAME 4 RECAP: Stockton 7 - Idaho 2

05/07/2010 10:05 PM

FIT TO BE TIED
Thunder ties Conference Final series, 2-2 with Idaho in five-goal rout, 7-2

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights

STOCKTON, Calif. - Bryan Pitton made 29 saves while defenseman Steve Vanoosten led seven players who had multi point games with three assists, as the Stockton Thunder routed the Idaho Steelheads in a 7-2 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 5,219 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder, who have rallied so far from a 2-0 series deficit to square the best-of-seven set at 2-2, improved to 6-1 at home in the postseason and unleashed a five-unanswered goal rally, chasing Idaho goaltender Richard Bachman (fell to 6-2 with 11 saves) who left in the second period with an injury.

Idaho, who won their first six games of the playoffs, have lost two in a row and Stockton's win guaranteed a return of the series to Boise, beginning on Tuesday, May 11 for Game 6.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"Give credit to our whole team - we've been extremely successful with our focus ever since we've come home," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I liked the way we consistently went strong to the net, all night long. You need great goaltending, not just ‘good' goaltending, to get far in the postseason and Bryan Pitton was nothing short of great tonight. We have a lot to take out of tonight and apply it to tomorrow as our focus shifts to Game 5."

Steve Vanoosten recorded a playoff career-high with three assists.

(photo by George Steckler)

Robinson steered a backdoor pass by Steve Vanoosten past Richard Bachman's glove from the right goal post, giving the Thunder the first goal of the game at 12:49 of the first period on the power-play. It was the first time the Thunder scored the game's first goal in the series.

One of Pitton's highlight reel saves was on a John Swanson wrist shot through traffic in the high slot, which Pitton snared with his glove early in the second period.

Swanson chased a pinballed rebound from close range to an open net to tie the game, 1-1 with 4:55 into the second period, but the Thunder responded with Caudron's 2-on-1 goal, converting Oren Eizenman's feed from the left wing with a one-timer past Bachman's blocker, restoring the 2-1 lead.

Bachman was visibly shaken up on the play after a collision with teammate Evan Barlow, who attempted to backcheck on the 2-on-1 break.

After Bachman elected to stay in following medical treatment, the Thunder quickly responded to hike the lead at 3-1 on Brett Hemingway's goal in his postseason debut this year, stuffing a wrap-around attempt past Bachman's blocker just 1:54 later.

The Thunder boosted their advantage to 4-1 after Bachman was yanked for backup Rejean Beauchemin. Jason Pitton converted a James Bates centering pass from behind the net, beating Beauchemin just inside the short side, left post. The goal completed a Thunder three-goal rally in a span of 3:56.

Pitton stopped nine shots in the second period, including an open, snap shot from Mark Derlago at the left circle.

Marquardt successfully re-directed Eizenman's centering feed from the right corner past Beauchemin's blocker with 2:16 gone in the third period, boosting the game to a 5-1 Thunder advantage.

The Thunder turned it into a rout with their third power-play goal of the game, when Bates slugged a loose puck, out of mid-air past Beauchemin's blocker with 14:10 left in the game for a 6-1 lead.

Just 1:59 later, Colin Hemingway rifled a face-off win by Igor Gongalsky with a one-timer from the right circle past Beauchemin, hiking the Thunder advantage to 7-1.

Swanson closed the scoring with his second goal of the game, a one-timer at the left circle with 5:25 left in regulation on a 5-on-3 power-play.

Tempers flared late in the game and 67 minutes in penalties were issued to both teams, including 25 to Kevin DeVirgilio, ejected after an altercation with Ryan Constant. DeVirgilio received a five-minute, game misconduct for spearing, a separate 10-minute, unsportsmanlike conduct and an extra ten minutes for the ejection.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Garet Hunt (one-game suspension), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Chris D'Alvise (injury, day-to-day) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder converted at a 3-for-8 rate on the power-play ... Stockton has now scored an average of 5.1 goals per game at home in the postseason (36 goals in seven games) ... ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna was in attendance at the game.

Both teams return to play in Game 5 of the series at Stockton Arena on Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

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 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/.

THREE STARS:
1. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton
2. STK - 4 Steve Vanoosten
3. STK - 12 J.F. Caudron

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder Win In Triple Overtime / A Game Recap

GAME 3 RECAP: Stockton 1 - Idaho 0 (3OT)

05/05/2010 11:48 PM

CONSTANT HEROES
Pitton's record 49-save effort, Constant's goal caps triple-OT thriller, gets Thunder back to 2-1 series deficit

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - Ryan Constant ended the longest game in Stockton Thunder history with a power-play goal from the high slot, 36 seconds into triple overtime, to lift the Thunder to a thrilling 1-0 marathon victory over the Idaho Steelheads in Game 3 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Stockton Arena on Wednesday.


The Thunder edged their way back in the best-of-seven series, trailing Idaho 2-1 and goaltender Bryan Pitton, making his first start of the postseason, broke a Thunder playoff record with 49 saves while earning the first playoff shutout in Thunder history and the first of his playoff career.

He outdueled Richard Bachman of Idaho, who stopped 36 shots and had a shutout streak of 172:07 in the series snapped by Constant's goal. The overtime win was the third of the playoffs for Stockton, who ran their record to 3-0 in the OT stages.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1 (3OT)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"What a character win," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Our resiliency really came through when we needed it most. Constant's goal came as a result of simple hockey needed into a lengthy game like that - getting a screen in front of their goaltender. Bryan was remarkable in net as well - he made the basic saves all night and came through with some big stops when we needed them."

Bryan Pitton recorded the first playoff shutout in Thunder history with another postseason record - 49 saves in one single playoff game.

(photo by George Steckler)

Both teams battled through the first period with the Thunder edging Idaho in shots, 11-10. Pitton made his first big save of the game on a Marty Flichel re-direction at the base of the left circle and Bachman countered with stops on a Matt Robinson snapper in the first shift of the game and Steve Vanoosten's one-timer from the right circle with nearly six minutes remaining.

The Thunder had a chance to grab the lead in the second period on a wide open chance at the left circle for J.F. Caudron, but his rebound zipped off the right goal post with Bachman diving to get back in position.

Idaho outshot the Thunder, 8-3 in the third period and 6-4 in the first overtime, with Pitton making a key save on Mark McCutcheon's wrist shot from the left circle.

Bachman faced a close-range redirection attempt by Igor Gongalsky in the opening minutes of the overtime period, but turned away the chance from between the hash marks with a stop at the glove side.

Idaho cranked up the pressure, outshooting the Thunder 18-8 in the second overtime period, but failing to capitalize on two power-play chances. Pitton preserved the game with a glove save on a Dustin Friesen backhander from between the circles at the middle of the period.

Flichel was whistled for a tripping penalty for taking down Jason Pitton behind the Idaho net with 1:19 left in the double overtime, setting up the game-winning power-play.

After the Thunder won the opening faceoff of the third overtime and worked the puck in deep, Robinson's feed from the left boards found Constant positioned at the high slot while Jason Pitton set a screen in front of Bachman.

Constant unleashed a wrist shot that beat Bachman past the blocker side, sending the Thunder flying off the bench with the win and Stockton Arena into pandemonium.

Idaho was kept to an 0-for-6 effort on the power-play.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Colin Hemingway (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the game surpassed the previous record game in Stockton playoff history - Game 3 of the 2007 National Conference Quarterfinals, won by Idaho, 2-1 at 8:06 of double overtime ... Constant's goal snapped an 0-for-15 drought for the Thunder on the power-play, in the series ... the Thunder improved to 4-1 at home in the postseason and has won nine of the last 12 games at home in Kelly Cup Playoff history ... the game was the longest 0-0 game in ECHL history before Constant's game winner.

Both teams return to play in Game 4 of the series at Stockton Arena on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

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 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/.

THREE STARS:
1. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton
2. STK - 22 Ryan Constant
3. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder Lose 4-0 / Game 2 Recap / Game 3 Is On Wednesday In Stockton

GAME 2 RECAP: Idaho 4 - Stockton 0

05/01/2010 9:50 PM

DRAWING A BLANK
Bachman's 28-save shutout lifts Idaho to 2-0 series lead

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights
AUDIO: Matt Thomas postgame comments


BOISE, Idaho - Richard Bachman earned the first playoff shutout of his career with 28 saves and the Idaho Steelheads used two shorthanded goals in the first period to defeat the Stockton Thunder, 4-0, in Game 2 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs before 3,783 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who fell into a 2-0 series hole despite facing three upcoming games of the series in Stockton, were kept to an 0-for-6 effort on the power-play while Andrew Perugini fell to 7-4 in the postseason with 31 saves.

Idaho, who captured the league's Brabham Cup title with the best regular season record, improved to 6-0 in the playoffs.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"Obviously Richard Bachman's been the difference in the first two games of this series so we need to find a way to get better scoring opportunities and when do get them, to bear down," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "More importantly, our power-play needs to be better. We feel confident that we're in every game, we just have to create more for ourselves and not give them lay-up goals."

Idaho built a 2-0 lead again just like the previous night, after one period but found their source of offense on two opportunistic shorthanded, outnumbered attacks. Brandan Kushniruk connected on a give-and-go at the open, left goal post with Mark McCutcheon for a 1-0 Idaho lead with 10:51 left.

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Andrew Perugini makes a sliding, post-to-post save on Evan Barlow in the first period.

(photo by Steve Conner)

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Matt McKnight then snuck a tap-in off a deflected, cross-ice pass from McCutcheon at the right post for a 2-0 cushion with 6:04 remaining in the period.

Perugini denied a series of close-range saves with the 15 shots he saw in the second period by Idaho, but an inside-out deke to the backhand by Evan Barlow boosted the Idaho lead to 3-0 at 7:30 of the second period, when got behind the Thunder defense from the left wing.

The Thunder's best chance to get back in the game was early in the third period when Chris D'Alvise caught an open lane at the left wing with a burst of speed, but his snap shot was denied by Bachman's shoulder to preserve the three-goal margin.

Marty Flichel's power-play goal made it 4-0 Idaho when he took Mark Derlago's feed into the slot and found the net on a snap shot through traffic.

The game took an emotional complexion with several scraps breaking out toward the end, with several slashing, interference, roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that were issued.

"Our emotions got the better of us at times, but that's expected," said Thomas. "We're going to play hard to the final buzzer. That's the way we play. We did everything in our power to maintain a good work ethic. We're going to make sure they know we're going to play hard to the final buzzer, because we're getting hungry for Game 3. We're a good team at home in the playoffs."

McCutcheon and Weston Tardy each chipped in with a pair of assists.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder had never faced a 2-0 series hole until Saturday's Game 2 ... Stockton was outshot, 35-28 and has fell in the last four lifetime playoff games at Qwest Arena ... the winning team of the Conference Finals has now won 12 consecutive games of the third round, dating back to 2007 ... the game marked the second straight season the Thunder has played hockey into the month of May.

Both teams take the series to Stockton Arena, beginning with Game 3, on Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

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 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/

THREE STARS:

1. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman
2. IDH - 14 Mark McCutcheon
3. IDH - 20 Evan Barlow

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder Drop Conference Finals Opener / A Game Recap / Game 2 Goes Tonight

GAME 1 RECAP: Idaho 4 - Stockton 2

04/30/2010 8:20 PM

GETTING WARMER ...
Thunder drop Conference Finals opener despite two-goal rally

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights
AUDIO: Matt Thomas postgame comments


BOISE, Idaho - Veteran Marty Flichel's three points (1g-2a) and Richard Bachman's 29 saves were enough to thwart a late comeback by the Stockton Thunder, who dropped a 4-2 loss to the Idaho Steelheads in Game 1 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Qwest Arena on Friday.

The Thunder, who outshot Idaho, 31-22 and scored twice in the last 31 minutes of play to climb out of a 4-0 hole, dropped their first road defeat in the postseason since Game 1 of the first round at Alaska, snapping a four-game road win streak. Matt Robinson and Ryan Constant scored for the Thunder, while Bryan Pitton stopped all 11 shots he saw after replacing Andrew Perugini in the second period.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton at Idaho - Saturday, May 1 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"We dug ourselves a hole, but let's call a spade a spade," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "They got two bounce goals - one off a skate and another from a bounce off the boards. That's the difference. It wasn't nearly our best game of the playoffs, but there's a lot of positives we take out of it. I like the way we played. I can walk away from this game feeling like we're potentially in a good spot."

Idaho built a 2-0 lead after the first period on successive power-play goals, beginning with Mark McCutcheon's snap shot from off the rush with 4:02 into the game when he converted off Marty Flichel's drop pass from between the circles.

Flichel then notched his first goal of the postseason with 5:53 left in the period when his slow rolling slap shot at the left circle caromed off traffic and re-directed past the left pad of Perugini.

McCutcheon snuck a wrist shot past Perugini's glove from the short side just 45 seconds into the second to hike the Idaho lead to 3-0, and an errant bounce off a dump-in by Guillaume Monast, which trickled behind Perugini, found Mathieu Tousignant alone at the front for a 4-0 Thunder hole with 10:58 left in the second period.

After the Thunder replaced Perugini with Bryan Pitton, a Robinson second-chance rebound found its way through Richard Bachman's five hole after James Bates connected with Robinson on an out-numbered attack, closing the gap to 4-1 with 9:27 left in the period.

The Thunder continued to benefit off a tightened game after the Robinson goal and drew to within a 4-2 deficit on Constant's third goal of the postseason with 10:31 left in the game. Constant kept in a clearing attempt at the left point and drilled a wrist shot through traffic while Garet Hunt set a screen in front of Bachman.

Idaho closed out the game by picking up their third home victory of the postseason.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder fell to 4-3 in lifetime in Game 1 situations ... Stockton was kept to an 0-for-4 clip on the power-play and Idaho converted at 2-for-6 ... the Thunder fell to 0-3 in the last three playoff games at Qwest Arena, dating back to 2007.

The Thunder will square off against the Steelheads for Game 2 of the National Conference Final series tomorrow at Qwest Arena at 6:10 p.m. Both teams take the series to Stockton Arena, beginning with Game 3, on Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

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 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/

THREE STARS:
1. IDH - 14 Mark McCutcheon
2. IDH - 16 Marty Flichel
3. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder GAME PREVIEW: Game On(e)!

GAME PREVIEW: Game On(e)!

04/30/2010 12:00 AM

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#6 STOCKTON THUNDER at #1 IDAHO STEELHEADS


GAME 1 - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINAL
April 30, 2010 - Qwest Arena
FACEOFF: 6:10 p.m.


WATCH PARTY: Stockton Arena (King's Room)
RADIO: None (Online only)
INTERNET: http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (B2 Networks)


NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINAL
Game 1: Stockton at Idaho - Friday, Apr. 30 - 6:10 p.m.
Game 2: Stockton at Idaho - Saturday, May 1 - 6:10 p.m.
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m.
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. *
* If necessary

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP
The sixth-seeded Thunder, opens its first trip to the National Conference Finals tonight against the first-seeded Idaho Steelheads (second meeting in the playoffs, first since 2007) at Qwest Arena, a best-of-seven series that follows a "2-3-2" format. The series features two players with NHL playing experience (Colin Hemingway, St. Louis Blues and Bryan Young, Edmonton Oilers). It marks the Thunder's fourth straight playoff appearance and four in five seasons since joining the ECHL. The Steelheads are in their seventh straight playoff appearance and return to the Conference Finals the first time since 2007, when they eventually won their second Kelly Cup championship. Stockton won its second rounds series, 4-1 over Bakersfield and Idaho swept Utah in four games.

GOING FOR THE GOLD
The Stockton Thunder are asking all fans in attendance for Thunder home Kelly Cup Playoff games at Stockton Arena to "go gold" and wear gold clothing similar to the color in the Thunder uniform scheme. The Thunder, who ranked third in ECHL attendance this season and drew over 6,000 fans per game for the fifth consecutive season, will roll out exclusive playoff merchandise including playoff rally towels, collectible playoff pucks and gold bandanas. Special gold playoff t-shirts will be on sale at all home games in the Stockton Arena "Fan Attic" and all in-arena merchandise locations.

SECOND ROUND RECAP: THUNDER PLUCKS CONDORS
The Thunder advanced to the National Conference Finals for the first time in club history, defeating the Bakersfield Condors, 4-1 in the best-of-seven series in the National Conference Semifinals ... the Thunder won two games in overtime at Rabobank Arena and became the first team to hand back-to-back losses in two nights to the Condors, in Bakersfield, since Idaho on Jan. 29-30 ... J.F. Caudron and Oren Eizenman had the overtime winners and Eizenman led the Thunder in scoring for the series with six points (3g-3a) in five games... Stockton defeated Bakersfield, 3-2 in overtime in Game 1 at Rabobank Arena with Caudron's overtime winner with 9:42 left ... Kelly Czuy tied the game with less than three minutes left in regulation ... Eizenman's OT winner with 10:59 left, the next night, lifted the Thunder to a 2-0 series lead in a 4-3 victory at Rabobank Arena ... in Game 3, J.P. Levasseur shut out the Thunder with 35-save shutout in a 3-0 Bakersfield win at Stockton Arena ... the Thunder struck back with Matt Robinson's playoff career-high three points (1g-2a) in a 6-2 victory over Bakersfield at Stockton Arena in Game 4, seizing a 3-1 series lead ... in Game 5, Eizenman's pair of assists, along with 14 skaters hitting the scoresheet, helped the Thunder eliminate Bakersfield in a 7-4 win at Stockton Arena, winning the series 4-1 ... Stockton bursted with a four-goal third period and Colin Hemingway registered the eventual game-winning goal.

FIRST ROUND RECAP: THUNDER FLUSHES ACES
The Thunder advanced to the second round for the second straight season, defeating the Alaska Aces, 3-1 in the best-of-five series in the National Conference Quarterfinals ... the Thunder became the first team in ECHL history to eliminate Alaska in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs ... Kelly Czuy had three straight multi-point games and Oren Eizenman led the Thunder series scoring with nine assists ... Defenseman B.J. Crum scored back-to-back goals, including the game-winner with 2:51 left in regulation to snap a 3-3 tie and help the Aces rally in a third period comeback, defeating the Thunder, 4-3 in Game 1 at Wasilla, Alaska ... a four goal effort in the third period, stamping a string of three unanswered goals, helped the Stockton Thunder sink the host the Alaska Aces in a 5-2 victory in Game 2 - J.F. Caudron had the game-winning goal ... All-star center Chris D'Alvise scored two goals and added an assist, Andrew Perugini made 39 saves and the Stockton Thunder scored a playoff club record five goals in the third period, en route to a thrilling 7-4 victory over the Alaska Aces in Game 3 at Stockton Arena ... the Thunder, who took a 2-1 series lead, scored five times in a span of 6:42 in the third period ... the Thunder erased two separate two-goal deficits in the first period and scored six unanswered goals, led by James Bates' four points (1g-3a) and a pair of goals by Matt Robinson, eliminating Alaska in a 8-5 victory in Game 4 at Stockton Arena ... ten different Thunder players hit the scoresheet and Andrew Perugini made 40 saves in net.

SEASON SERIES: STOCKTON VS. IDAHO
The Thunder was 2-9-1 this season against Idaho and last faced the Steelheads on Jan. 2 ... Stockton went 2-1-0 in the last three games against the Steelheads - all at Qwest Arena ... the Thunder have added seven new players to the roster since the two teams last met at Stockton Arena on Nov. 28 ... the teams opened the regular season with a three-game series in Boise and the Steelheads completed a three-game sweep with a 3-2 win on Oct. 18 ... the Thunder dropped a 2-1 shootout loss at Stockton Arena in the next meeting on Nov. 13 ... Idaho won, 4-2 the next evening on Evan Barlow's pair of goals ... Idaho finished a three-game sweep of the series in Stockton the next evening, 3-1 behind Richard Bachman's 20 saves ... Idaho followed by a three-game sweep of the Thunder, at Stockton Arena on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27-28 ... the Thunder snapped Idaho's nine-game win streak in the series with a 5-1 victory at Qwest Arena on Dec. 31, behind Chris D'Alvise's pair of goals and Bryan Pitton's 40 saves ... Idaho won, 5-1 on New Year's Day behind Sergei Korostin's pair of goals ... the next evening, the Thunder closed out the regular season series with another 5-1 triumph over the host Steelheads - Andrew Perugini made 39 stops and Oren Eizenman led the offense with a two-goal effort ... Stockton was lifted into a tie for second place in the Pacific Division with the victory.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN
The Thunder ranks second in ECHL playoff attendance with an average of 4,433 fans per game and recently completed the regular season third in the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,031 fans per game, marking the fifth straight season that an average of 6,000 fans have crossed the Stockton Arena turnstiles. On Jan. 30, the Thunder drew 9,158 fans to Stockton Arena against Victoria, the second largest home crowd this year. The Thunder led the ECHL in attendance last year with an average of 6,218 fans through 36 home games. Stockton has 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history and drew a standing room only crowd of 9,392 on Nov. 8 vs. Alaska. Last year, the Thunder became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for four straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons - 2000-05).

THUNDER PLAYOFF NOTES
It is the second time the Thunder are meeting the Idaho Steelheads in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, the first since 2007 when Idaho defeated Stockton, 4-2 in the National Conference Quarterfinals. The Thunder has advanced to the National Conference Finals for first time in franchise history and last year, played hockey into the month of May for the first time in team history, losing in seven games to the Las Vegas Wranglers, in the Pacific Division Final (second round). The Thunder achieved its first playoff series win in club history by defeating the Ontario Reign, 4-3, which included five one-goal games. In 2007-08, the Thunder was defeated by Las Vegas, 4-2 in six games of the National Conference Quarterfinal and was defeated, 4-2 to the eventual Kelly Cup Champion Idaho Steelheads in the quarterfinal round in 2006-07. Six players remain from last year's Thunder playoff team.

BREAKDOWN: THUNDER ALL-TIME RECORD BY GAME ONE

DATE ROUND OPP. LOCATION SCORE OT GOALIES (STK/opp) GWG
Apr. 10, 2007 NQF Idaho Qwest Arena W, 4-2 - Dubnyk/Silverthorn Tim Sestito
Apr. 11, 2008 NQF Las Vegas Orleans Arena W, 4-2 - Boron/Lalande Jonas Almtorp
Apr. 10, 2009 PSF Ontario CB Bank Arena L, 3-4 - Perugini-PITTON/Zatkoff Shawn Germain
Apr. 24, 2009 PF Las Vegas Stockton Arena W, 4-3 - Van Buskirk/Fisher-DeCARO Cory Urquhart
Apr. 5, 2010 NQF Alaska Menard Center L, 3-4 - Perugini/Sauer B.J. Crum
Apr. 16, 2010 NSF Bakersfield Rabobank Arena W, 3-2 10:18 Perugini/Levasseur J.F. Caudron
All-time game one record: 4-2

SECOND HALF SWING
After beginning the season 5-11-3 and 1-6-3 on their own home ice, the Thunder roared back after the start of December to finish with a swing of 28-19-7 overall and 16-6-4 at Stockton Arena, at one point moving to a tie for first place in the Pacific Division with Bakersfield in the final week of the regular season. A multiple number of milestones were reached or neared in helping the Thunder secure its fourth straight Kelly Cup Playoff berth:

•James Bates, 73 points (tied Thunder single-season record - Ryan Huddy, 08-09)
•Chris D'Alvise, 34 goals (one shy of tying Thunder single-season record)
•Andrew Perugini, 22 wins (career-high, two win shy of tying single-season record)
•Wins, 33 (second highest in Thunder history)
•Wins - road, 16 (one shy of tying Thunder single-season record)

ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?
The Thunder has one player (captain J.F. Caudron) and head coach Matt Thomas with pro championship experience - Caudron helped guide the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies to a Kelly Cup championship title in 2003, the same team that had Thomas as assistant coach. Additionally, veteran right wing Colin Hemingway (Alaska, 2008-09), right wing Brett Hemingway (Alaska, 2008-09) and right wing Kelly Czuy (Las Vegas, 2007-08) have helped guide their former respective teams to appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals.

Below is a list of the top-5 Thunder players who have the most pro playoff experience in games:

PLAYER - GAMES
KELLY CZUY - 51
J.F. CAUDRON - 40
MATT ROBINSON - 31
DARYL MARCOUX - 29
COLIN HEMINGWAY - 26

ALL TIME PLAYOFF SCORING (Thunder active players)
# Player GP G A PTS
12 J.F. Caudron 40 23 20 43
34 Kelly Czuy 51 16 23 39
20 Colin Hemingway 26 10 18 28
28 James Bates 22 7 17 24
9 Oren Eizenman 15 7 13 20

Written by the Stockton Thunder

Stockton Thunder Advance To The National Conference Finals / Starting Friday, April 30/10

Thunder, Idaho Face-off in Conference Finals

04/24/2010 10:10 PM - Kelly Cup Playoff packages, individual tickets on sale beginning with game 3

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STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder has advanced to the National Conference Finals for the first time in club history and will open the third round of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs against the first seed Idaho Steelheads in a best-of-seven series (2-3-2 format), beginning with Game 1 on Friday, Apr. 30 at 6:05 p.m. from Qwest Arena in Boise.

Round-by-round ticket packages for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Stockton Thunder at (209) 373-1500. Individual playoff tickets for all home games at Stockton Arena are on sale and available in person at the Stockton Arena Alpine Meats ticket office, by phone at (209) 373-1700 or online at http://www.stocktontickets.com/

The Thunder, the #6 seed in the National Conference, finished 2-9-1 this season against the Steelheads (winning two of the last three of the head-to-head series, Dec.31-Jan. 2) and it is the first time both teams will meet in the Kelly Cup Playoffs since 2007, when Idaho defeated the Thunder, 4-2 in the National Conference Quarterfinals.

Stockton is looking to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in club history, while Idaho is aiming to earn a finals berth for the third time in six seasons (2004, 2007). Listed below is the head-to-head schedule, following a "2-3-2" format:

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton at Idaho - Friday, Apr. 30 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 2: Stockton at Idaho - Saturday, May 1 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

Kelly Cup Playoff tickets start as low as $9 per seat and range to $28 (Comcast Club).

Fans wishing to get priority seating on playoff tickets can do so by placing a deposit on new Thunder season tickets for the 2010-11 season.

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, 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 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/.

Re-posted with permission by the Stockton Thunder

Stockton Thunder Up 3-1 In Series / Game 4 Recap

GAME 4 RECAP: Stockton 6 - Bakersfied 2

04/23/2010 9:27 PM

THREE'S COMPANY
Robinson's three points help Thunder take 3-1 series lead, put Bakersfield on brink of elimination
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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights




STOCKTON, Calif. - Matt Robinson scored a playoff career-high three points (1g-2a), helping the Stockton Thunder turn in a wire-to-wire lead and sink the Bakersfield Condors in a 6-2 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,932 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

Stockton took a 3-1 lead in the series, put Bakersfield on the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven set and can advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in club history with a win as early as Saturday at Stockton Arena in Game 5.

Robinson, who turned in his postseason best just one game after sitting out as a healthy scratch, helped the Thunder spur a four-goal rally in the second period. Oren Eizenman, Bryan Young, Chris D'Alvise, Jason Pitton and Matt Marquardt chipped in with a goal and Andrew Perugini posted a 27 save-effort to improve to 6-2 in the playoffs.

Garet Hunt also chipped in with a pair of assists - his first came on Young's game-winning goal.

STOCKTON VS. BAKERSFIELD - NATIONAL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Bakersfield 2 (OT)
Game 2: Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 3 (OT)
Game 3: Bakersfield 3 at Stockton 0
Game 4: Bakersfield 2 at Stockton 6
Game 5: Bakersfield at Stockton - Saturday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Bakersfield - Tuesday, Apr. 27 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Bakersfield - Wednesday, Apr. 28 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
* If necessary

"There were so many players who deserved the player of the game honor we usually award in our dressing room after the game," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It was a great effort by the collective bunch and from the Bryan Youngs to the Matt Robinsons to the Garet Hunts, everyone committed to a full, physical effort tonight and they were rewarded with it. There were many things we have to take from tonight's game into Game 5 because we know it will be the toughest one so far."

Oren Eizenman was named first star of the game with a goal and assist, parlaying an all-around effort.

(photo by George Steckler)

The Thunder came out flying in the opening period with a furious physical forecheck and outshot the Condors, 8-2 in the first several minutes. Capping off the effort, Robinson's third goal of the playoffs put the Thunder ahead, 1-0 when he corralled James Bates' centering pass and whistled a snap shot past J.P. Levasseur from between the circles with 59.7 seconds left.

A four-goal outburst in the second period powered the Thunder to a 5-1 advantage, using two separate pairs of goals around Bakersfield's only tally in the period. Eizenman took J.F. Caudron's relay and seared a wrist shot over Levasseur's glove for a breakaway goal just 53 seconds into the period, hiking the lead to 2-0.

Young crashed the net on a rebound produced by a shot from Hunt, in close and boosted the lead to 3-0 with 15:14 left in the period. A third-chance rebound though by Stephane Goulet put Bakersfield on the board, trailing 3-1 with 7:04 elapsed in the period.

The Thunder continued their relentless forecheck game and D'Alvise restored the three-goal cushion when he slipped a loose puck from nearly at the right goal line with 10:05 remaining for his first goal of the series.

Pitton finished off a collective successful forecheck when he stole a pass at the right circle and zipped a wrist shot through Levasseur's five-hole with 59.8 seconds left, boosting the lead to 5-1 after Hunt leveled Ken Morin with a check in the right corner.

In a more controlled, conservative pace in the third period, the Thunder maintained their margin through the first several minutes but allowed Bakersfield to get no closer than a three-goal cushion. Eric Regan's power-play goal cut the lead to 5-2 with 9:53 left in the third period when he buried a loose puck from the right circle into an open net.

Bakersfield pulled Levasseur for an extra attacker on a power-play with three minutes remaining but the Thunder put on the finishing touches with Marquardt's empty-net goal with 1:10 left in the game.

Levasseur, who was the first Bakersfield goaltender to start two consecutive games, took the loss with 18 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder improved to 4-2, lifetime in Game 4 situations ... Robinson's first period goal was the first time the Thunder scored the first goal of the game in the entire postseason ... only two infractions (a pair of fighting majors to Igor Gongalsky and Sasha Pokulok in the first period) were called through two periods and Stockton never had a power-play in the game ... the Thunder improved to 3-1 at home in this year's playoffs.

The Thunder can wrap up the series at Stockton Arena with a victory on Saturday in Game 5, facing Bakersfield beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

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/.

THREE STARS:
1. STK - 9 Oren Eizenman
2. STK - 71 Matt Robinson
3. STK - 24 Garet Hunt

Written by the Stockton Thunder

Thunder Even Up Series With Win Over Alaska

GAME 2 RECAP: Stockton 5 - Alaska 2

04/06/2010 11:18 PM

FIT TO BE TIED
Thunder send series back to Stockton tied, 1-1 in four goal third period rally

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights


WASILLA, Alaska - A four goal effort in the third period, stamping a string of three unanswered goals, helped the Stockton Thunder sink the host the Alaska Aces in a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of the National Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at the Menard Memorial Sports Center on Tuesday.

The Thunder, who tied the best-of-five series, 1-1, return home to Stockton Arena for Game 3 on Friday. Forwards Kelly Czuy (1g-1a), Oren Eizenman (two assists), defensemen Anthony Aiello (1g-1a) and Jordan Bendfeld (two assists) all led the offense with two points apiece while goaltender Andrew Perugini made 28 saves.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Alaska 4
Game 2: Stockton 5 at Alaska 2
Game 3: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 10 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Monday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
* If necessary


"It's a huge win from the standpoint we needed to come up here and gain a split, giving us a chance going back to our own home ice," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I'm proud of the guys for how they responded."

The Thunder, who handed Alaska their fourth Game 2 loss in franchise history, improved to 2-3 in Game 2 situations.

Following a scoreless first period where the Thunder owned a 9-5 lead in shots on goal, Alaska responded with several scoring chances in front of Perugini but were thwarted on a diving glove save at the doorstep on the Aces' Jarrett Konkle with over six minutes into the period.

The pressure continued and after Alaska killed a 5-on-3 penalty kill, Ryan Turek sent the partisan crowd into eruption with his first goal of the postseason with 8:41 left when he corralled Brock McBride's feed at the left circle and slipped a wrist shot through traffic for a 1-0 lead.

The Thunder had a breakaway by Kelly Czuy negated on an offside call but continued to press and finally knotted the score, 1-1 on a Czuy shorthanded goal with less than 33.7 seconds left when he blasted a shapshot past Billy Sauer from the right wing.

Marquardt, who had fired eight shots in the game already, finally broke through with his first goal of the postseason to give the Thunder a 2-1 lead and stunning the Aces home crowd with 2:26 gone in the third period when his wrist shot from the right wing beat Sauer off the rush.

A power-play goal by Caudron, who knocked in a rebound at the right goal post, put the Thunder ahead, 3-1 with 13:46 remaining on his second goal of the playoffs after Sauer stopped Czuy's shot from the left circle.

Alaska crawled back into the game on a Bryan Miller goal from between the hash marks just 2:10 later, cutting the deficit to one.

Yet, Stockton restored the two-goal gap with Pitton's first goal of the playoffs, coming with 4:34 left when he re-directed Bendfeld's drive from the right point to the back of the net.

An empty-net goal by Aiello with 24.4 seconds remaining sealed the game, when he hit the back of the net on a 190-foot heave from his own defensive zone, completing the rally.

"We talked about momentum as a team and how it helps you in the playoffs," said Thomas. "We created a ton of it with a great goal at the end of the second. Then we came out with the right energy and had guys like Pitton and Marquardt scoring while our power play steps up. We did the little things that were needed to win and rally from a tie game, on the road, in the third period."

Sauer was tagged with the loss, making 26 saves for Alaska.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... the only other Game 2 win in Thunder history was at Ontario last year, a 6-5 win in the first round - Stockton went onto win the series in seven games ... the Thunder went 1-for-4 on the power-play and kept Alaska sealed at an 0-for-3 clip ... Czuy's multi-point game gave him 19 points in 15 career first rounds games with Stockton and Las Vegas.

The series moves to Stockton Arena for the remainder of the series and game three, between the Thunder and Aces, is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The game can be viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

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/  

THREE STARS:
1. STK - 34 Kelly Czuy
2. STK - 7 Anthony Aiello
3. STK - 9 Oren Eizenm

Stockton Thunder Goes For The Kelly Cup / Yesterdays Game 1 Recap

GAME 1 RECAP: Alaska 4 - Stockton 3

04/05/2010 11:41 PM

FINISHING WITH THE CRUMS

Crum's two goals lifts Alaska to late rally, lead series 1-0

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE

AUDIO: Game highlights

WASILLA, Alaska - Defenseman B.J. Crum scored back-to-back goals, including the game-winner with 2:51 left in regulation to snap a 3-3 tie and help the Alaska Aces rally in a third period comeback, defeating the Stockton Thunder, 4-3 in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs National Conference Quarterfinal round at the Menard Memorial Sports Center on Monday.

Alaska, who took a 1-0 series lead, were led by Crum's two goals in the game, who mounted half of his three-year career total (4) in just a five-minute span. Kelly Czuy led the Thunder with a goal and assist, while Chris D'Alvise and J.F. Caudron also scored for Stockton.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Alaska 4
Game 2: Stockton at Alaska - Tuesday, April 6 - 8:30 p.m. (Menard Memorial Sports Center)
Game 3: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 10 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Monday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
* If necessary

"It's pretty evident we're in the playoffs now," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Territorially, we dominated the game. But we got beat in a nine minute span. We learned we have got to be better when the game is on the line and it counts. We ran around making mistake after mistake and it cost us."

The Thunder rallied from a 2-0 hole with three unanswered goals and at one point, owned a 21-17 shots advantage after two periods.Alaska took a 2-1 edge after one period, beginning on back-to-back goals from T.J. Fast and Jason Ryznar.

Fast drilled a wrist shot from the left wing with 7:17 gone in the game for a power-play goal, and Ryznar followed with a shorthanded goal with 8:45 left when his wrist shot from the right wing snuck through Andrew Perugini's five-hole.

Czuy silenced the partisan crowd just 27 seconds later with a power-play goal to cut the gap to 2-1, taking Oren Eizenman's pass and blasting a slap shot under the crossbar.

The Thunder continued to build on momentum with two goals in the second period, outshooting the Aces 9-6 and taking a 3-2 lead. D'Alvise scored the first playoff goal of his career with 10:43 left in the period when his one-timer beat Billy Sauer from between the circles.

Caudron then struck for a shocking, 60-foot slapshot goal before the buzzer to put the Thunder ahead for the first time of the game, 3-2 with less than three seconds left.

The Thunder continued to apply physical force in the opening minutes of the period but were hemmed in the defensive zone for Crum's tying goal, with 7:04 left in the game, when he took Brock McBride's cross ice pass at the left wing and buried his first of the playoffs from the left circle.

Following a timeout by the Thunder with less than four minutes left, the Aces' Crum notched his second of the game with 2:51 remaining, when his slapshot at the high slot seared its way through traffic after he cradled a Thunder clearing pass.

"The easy thing is to know we weren't going undefeated in the playoffs and learned a valuable lesson in game one," said Thomas. "We learned a lot can happen and we can correct it moving forward."

Perugini took the loss, making 15 saves while counterpart Billy Sauer won in his playoff debut with 18 stops.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder fell to 3-2, lifetime in game one contests ... their only other game one loss was to Ontario in last year's first round, 4-3, and Stockton won the seven-game series, 4-3 ... Alaska's leading scorer, Nick Mazzolini, left the game in the first period due to injury when he fell to the ice in a post-whistle altercation with Jordan Bendfeld and did not return.

Game two series is Tuesday at the Menard Center in Wasilla beginning at 8:30 p.m. between Stockton and Alaska. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

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/


THREE STARS:
1. AK - 2 B.J. Crum
2. STK - 34 Kelly Czuy
3. AK - 15 Bryan Miller

Written By The Stockton Thunder

*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Springfield Falcons (AHL) *