Thriving Special Teams Edged By Americans
Published on January 17, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
The Wichita Thunder lost 4-2 to the Allen Americans at the Allen Event Center on Saturday night.
Wichita twice built one-goal leads, but the Americans scored three unanswered goals in the come-from-behind win.
The Thunder snapped a nine-game drought on the power play at 7:13 in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Joel Hanson collected a pass from Steve Makway and snapped a shot from the left hash mark that bounced off the right pad of Americans' goaltender Charlie Effinger before hitting the back of the net. Wichita carried the lead deep into the period until Jarret Lukin took a breakaway into the Thunder zone. Ian Keserich made a terrific kick save on Lukin's shot that bounced behind the net, but Colton Yellow Horn came in from Keserich's left and tied the game on a backhand shot from along the goal line at 15:41.
Late in the second, Wichita connected on the power play for a second time to move back in front. Newly acquired center Jason Reese worked into the low slot and forced a shot that deflected behind Effinger. Brad Thompson, who returned from the 14-Day IR on Saturday, came in from Effinger's left and tipped in the rebound at the 15:06 mark. Allen answered right back, scoring just 26 seconds later to tie the game. Lukin streaked down the left boards on a two-on-one before throwing a backdoor pass across the slot to Kurtis Dulle who punched it by Keserich at 15:32. During the second period, Wichita killed off a four-minute Americans' power play.
Allen took its first lead of the game just 2:46 into the third. With Nino Musitelli waiting at the Thunder blue line having just returned from the penalty box, Justin Bowers found Musitelli on a headlong pass from deep inside the Allen zone. Musitelli created a three-step breakaway and beat Keserich on a backhander under the right corner of the net. Wichita had several good shots with an extra attacker in the game's final minute, but Allen prevented the Thunder from tying the game. With 1.1 seconds left, Bowers mimicked his pass earlier in the period and scored on an empty net from his own slot.
Wichita went a perfect 9 for 9 on the penalty kill, while scoring two power play goals for the first time since November 21st. Keserich suffered another tough loss, saving 40 of 43, with two of the three goals created from breakaways. Effinger stopped 22 of 24 to earn the win.
The Thunder continues action on the road, heading to Bossier City on Thursdya night to take on the Mudbugs at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard live at www.wichitathunder.com and www.allinbroadcasting.com The Thunder opens the INTRUST Bank Arena on Saturday, January 23rd when they host the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2010
- Thriving Special Teams Edged By Americans - Wichita Thunder
- Colorado Curse Continues: 'Bugs Fall 5-4 in OT - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Eagles Net Another One-Goal Win Over 'Bugs - Colorado Eagles
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