Here’s something no single television station in this area will report on this week-a positive news story about Stockton.

Stockton, Calif. has had its run of bad luck in recent years. From the high crime rate to filing for bankruptcy, this city has seen better days. Not only that, but I never hear much positives from it. Not from the media, from others I’ve talked to and the topic of Stockton has come up, and even friends who have been there and described their disappointing experiences.

There is one positive-its minor league hockey team and their winning ways.

The Stockton Thunder (the ECHL affiliate of my beloved Edmonton Oilers), have reached their first ever Kelly Cup Finals. They did so on Saturday by defeating the Idaho Steelheads 2-1 and winning the series 4-1 and the Western Conference Championship. As the fourth seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder knocked off the Las Vegas Gladiators and the top-seeded Alaska Aces along the way to get to play the Reading Royals in this years Kelly Cup Finals.

I have had the pleasure of attending four games for the Thunder this year (two regular season and two postseason) and have enjoyed each game I have gone to. I have gone with friends, their friends,and even my family and every time I go it’s a lot of fun. Not to mention the people from Stockton who attend these games are a fun bunch to be around (You don’t believe me? Sit in Section 102 near the glass. Your mind will change instantly!). 

With exciting players such as Olivier Roy, Harrison Reed,and Garet Hunt (who seems to be a big fan favorite at Stockton Arena), the Thunder have not quit this postseason, giving Thunder fans and the city something to cheer for and talk about.

In a time where it seems nothing goes right for Stockton, it’s about time the city had something going right for them, and the Thunder are it. Good luck to the gold and black during the Kelly Cup Finals, I hope to be there cheering you on!