Thunder working out the kinks

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder have shown their drive and determination mid-season, amidst many player changes.   They have moved up to second in the Pacific Division, only six points behind the Bakersfield Condors. The Condors have led the division since early in the season.   Stockton’s record after 47 games is 22-18-2-5.
 
The hit-and-miss goaltending of the Thunder has contributed to their up and down success. The first half of the season, Bryan Pitton, showed his resolve, following last years struggles to earn a call-up to the Edmonton Oilers; partially due to injuries and struggles with existing goaltending. In 22 games with Stockton, Pitton posted 2.85 goals against average with a .921 save percentage.
 
Now that Pitton remains in Springfield, Andrew Perugini has had the opportunity to demonstrate his skills in the net.   In last nights win, against the Ontario Reign, Perugini posted his second shutout of the season, resulting in the 5-0 win.   Perugini has played in 26 games, and has 2.55 goals against average, with a .921 save percentage; second in the league.
 
The Thunder has faced several player changes this season, as is the norm for ECHL teams.   Many of the players are on two-way contracts with Springfield.   Movement up and down has had some impact, especially considering the poor performance of the Oilers this season.   Head Coach Matt Thomas has had to sign a few free agents to fill in the blanks, with some success as well.
 
January’s addition of forwards Brett Hemingway, Matt Robinson, Mark Pavli and defensemen Anthony Aiello and Justin Dacosta seemed to provide the extra energy needed to help the team move up the ladder to second place from last in the division.  
 
The latest free agent signing was Colin Hemingway, Brett’s brother.   Proving to be a good move for Thomas; C. Hemingway posted his third multipoint game last night, and since donning the Thunders’ black and gold, and is now tied for the team lead in points with 43.
 
Right winger James Bates has stepped up to showcase his talents as well, posting at least a point in 14 of his last 16 games, and is co-leader in points with C. Hemingway, with 43 points and a plus ten. Bates also leads the team in assists with 28.
 
Center Chris D’Alvise, in his rookie season, has been having a remarkable year.   In November, D’Alvise collected his first hat-trick of the season against Victoria.   Then, earlier this month, he netted his first natural hat-trick on the road against Ontario.   He has posted 36 points and has a plus eight.   D’Alvise was also named one of two Thunder members to appear in the ECHL All-Star National Team in January.
 
Defenseman Aiello leads the team with a plus 14, followed closely by Daryl Marcoux with plus 13.   Aiello also leads the blue-liners in points with 16.
 
It appears that Thomas is getting closer to cracking the combination for a winning team in his on-going persistence with the Thunder.   Stockton is leading the league in the power play with 22.7 percent, and ranked fifth in the penalty kill with 83.1 percent.   This is a marked improvement over last years penalty kill hovering near the bottom of the scale in the league.
 
Last nights game was the only home game of the month for February. Stockton has a 11-7-2-5 home record and is ranked third in average attendance league wide with 5,934, only one behind the Toledo Walleye.   The Thunder is vying for their fifth consecutive lead in fan attendance, but the average numbers will have to hold for the rest of this month, since the duration of games will be on the road.  
 
Stockton heads out to begin the first of eight road games tonight, against the Reign in Ontario.   Stockton has an 11-11 record on the road and is 6-3 against Ontario this season. Tonight’s game will mark their last head-to-head match during the regular season.
 
The hometown fans will have to wait to see their beloved team until March, but you can bet they will be finding other ways to track their progress until then.
 
 
Contact the writer at shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at jack.lima@prohockeynews.com