STOCKTON, Calif. – Following a series of trades, the Stockton Thunder (21-18-1-3, 46 points) may have found the missing links. The Thunder has improved to 6-2-0 in their last eight games over a ten-day period. They are coming off a three game sweep over the Western Conference leader the Alaska Aces. The Thunder handed the Aces their first three-game losing streak since November.
Among the latest changes to the team, Bretton Cameron was traded to Greenville Road Warriors for defenseman Ryan Lowery (although he is currently skating with the Oklahoma City Barons) and Jordan Foreman was dealt to the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for right wing Matt Reber. Along with those trades, center Max Campbell, was assigned to the Thunder by the Connecticut Whale (AHL). In addition, Center Chris D’Alvise returned to the Thunder line-up on a rehab assignment from the Springfield Falcons (AHL), along with Milan Kytnar, from the Barons. All of this new blood really seems to have helped Stockton find their momentum. They are now in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Goaltender Alex Stalock is 4-0 with 2.5 goals-against-average and .92 save percentage since arriving to Stockton. In Sundays game against the Aces, he posted a season high 38 saves in the 2-1 win.
Left wing Jordan Fulton has appeared in 41 games this season, posting eight goals and 16 assists. He scored the game winning goal in Sunday’s game breaking open a 1-1 tie late in the third period. The photo above he celebrates the goal with teammates Chris Doyle and Matt Foy.
Veteran right wing Kevin Baker leads the Thunder with 19 goals and 35 points. In Friday nights game, he scored two goals and an assist in the 6-3 win over the Aces.
Center Milan Kytnar recently returned to the Thunder following his professional NHL debut for the Edmonton Oilers. He has played in 17 games with Stockton, and posted seven goals and five assists. He earned two assists in Friday’s game and scored the eventual game winner in Saturday’s game against Alaska, in a 4-1 victory, before 7,613 fans at the Stockton Arena.
Matt Reber
MaxCampbell
Center Chris D’Alvise is back, following a series of injuries while playing on the AHL level. Before leaving in 2011, he was the Thunder’s leading goal scorer through 12 games. He is currently on contract with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, so Thunder fans can expect him to be sent back up soon, until then, they are relishing his presence. D’Alvise scored two assists in the three games he has played in since his return.
Olivier Roy assigned to Stockton by the Edmonton Oilers has appeared in 26 games. Stockton has had some difficulty scoring, so his 9-13-1-3 record does not provide an accurate picture of his capabilities. He did get the win over Alaska in Saturday’s 4-1 win with 29 saves. In the previous weekend, he made a career high 48 saves in a 4-2 win over the Las Vegas Wranglers. Not to mention ECHL Goaltender of the week honors in November and again earlier this month.The Thunder will face the Condors in Bakersfield on Wednesday, February 1, then return home for a two game series against the Idaho Steelheads on the weekend.
Contact the writer: Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the Photographer: Jack.lima@prohockeynews.com
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