Thunder Ends Skid with Convincing 6-1 Win at Tulsa
November 12, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Tulsa, OK (November 12th) - Searching for its first regulation victory of the season, Wichita (2-7-3) won in convincing fashion on Tuesday night, skating past the Tulsa Oilers (4-6-2) by the final of 6-1 at the BOK Center. Nick McParland and Matt Robinson each had a pair of goals to pace the Thunder. Wichita evens up the StoneWolf Casino Cup series at one game a-piece with two more meetings against Tulsa later this week.
Wichita got off to much better start, recording two goals in the opening 20 minutes. Jason Wilson lifted a high backhand that got behind the Tulsa defenders and allowed McParland to track it down. He came in alone to beat Shane Madolora for a 1-0 lead at 8:18. The Oilers were then given a chance with the man advantage and had several opportunities denied by Taylor Nelson from in-close. At 13:28, Wichita cashed in with a power play goal from Matt Robinson to increase the lead to 2-0. Thomas Beaureguard won a battle on the left wall, fed it to the slot and Robinson fired a shot past Madolora's blocker for his sixth of the season.
At the start of the second, Travis Wight made a terrific play at the red line and was awarded a penalty shot after getting hauled down near the Tulsa net just 16 seconds in. He was unsuccessful on the attempt after trying to put a wrist shot past Madolora's glove. It didn't take the Thunder long to strike, however, as RG Flath got into the act 45 seconds later. Jared Walker fed him a pass to the slot and he redirected a backhand in with a defender draped all over him for his fourth of the season and a 3-0 lead. At 4:38, McParland added his second of the night after finding a rebound and beating Madolora for a 4-0 lead and sent the Tulsa netminder to the bench. Tulsa got on the board with a power play goal at 9:37 from Adam Pleskach. At 13:45, Matt Robinson caught a terrific pass across the slot and fired in his second of the night for a 5-1 lead.
Walker added a third-period goal at 10:32 from the left wing circle with assists to Tomas Klempa and Dustin Donaghy, ending the team's eight-game winless skid with a 6-1 victory.
Wichita's road power play continues to stay hot, recording its ninth goal on the man advantage away from home of the season. Robinson is just three goals shy of Mark Karpen for fifth place all-time in goals scored by a Thunder player. He is also eight goals shy of reaching 100 for his career in Thunder blue. McParland led all scorers with three points (2g, 1a) while Walker and Jason Wilson each added two points on the night. Nelson earned his second win of the season, stopping 37 of 38 shots. Madolora took the loss, stopping 8 of 11 shots in just 21 minutes of work.
Wichita went 1-for-1 on the power play while Tulsa was 1-for-3.
The two teams return to Wichita for a pair of games beginning on Friday, November 15th, which is Veteran's Night. All military personnel receive a free ticket to the game with a valid ID and all their family members can receive tickets for just $5! The night is presented by Metro Flooring and Design. Saturday night is Guy's Night Out, presented by Hajoca.
Individual game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets and mini plans are still available. Don't delay, contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625. Stay up-to-date on all the news this off-season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2013
- Oilers Streak Snapped in 6-1 Setback to Thunder - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Ends Skid with Convincing 6-1 Win at Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
- Owen Named Repeat Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week - Kansas City Mavericks
- Missouri's Shane Owen Named Oakley CHL Player of the Week - CHL
- Denver Cutthroats Honor Granite Mountain Hotshots - Denver Cutthroats
- David 'The Caveman' Rickels to Drop Puck at Saturday's Game vs. Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
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