Painchaud Scores Twice, Thunder Win in Tulsa 5-2
March 24, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Tulsa, OK - Wichita (38-19-8) finished out the road portion of its schedule on Saturday night, beating the Tulsa Oilers (22-38-5) by the final of 5-2 at the BOK Center. Chad Painchaud scored twice and Erick Lizon added his first of the season in the win. Wichita wins the season-series 7-2-2 over Tulsa and ends up 3-0-1 on the road at the BOK Center. With Allen losing earlier tonight, Wichita pulls within one point of first place with one game remaining on the schedule tomorrow afternoon.
The game began with a ceremony to honor the Tulsa players and for Tyler Fleck, who announced his retirement yesterday. Both teams were able to find the back of the net in the first 20 minutes. Young stole a loose puck at the red line, came down on a two-on-one with Ian Lowe, found a lane to the net as the defender shaded over to Lowe and he buried it over Shane Madolora's glove to make it 1-0. With less than a minute remaining the opening period, Sean Erickson put a low shot on net and Kyle O'Kane was able to squeeze a deflection through Grant Rollheiser to tie the game at one.
In the second period, Lizon took a drop pass from Todd Griffith and beat Madolora to the short side at 7:44, recording his first of the year. Painchaud scored his first just over a minute later when a broken play resulted in a loose puck at the left post and he banged it home to make it 3-1. Ryan Cramer cut back into the Thunder lead at 15:07 as he stepped away from the Thunder defense down the left wall and beat Rollheiser through the five hole making it 3-2. Painchaud finished the second-period scoring that came off a beautiful feed from Neil Trimm at 18:49 for his second of the game.
Matt Summers added a third period goal at the six minute mark as he came down the right wing and sent a wrister past Madolora's glove. Wichita kept the Oilers at bay down the stretch and earned a 5-2 road victory.
Wichita pulls within one point of Allen for first place with one game remaining for both teams. Wichita is guaranteed the second seed in the playoffs, but can still win the Governor's Cup.
The Thunder finish 14-13-6 on the road with tonight's win. Young ties a single-season Thunder record for goals by a defenseman with his 22nd of the season and finished with three points. He joins Paul Esdale, who performed that feat back in 2004-05. Trimm recorded two assists and is four points from tying his career high (80 points back in 2010-11). Rollheiser earned his second win of the season, stopping 26 of 28 shots. After playing solid in four previous starts against the Thunder, Madolora has gotten dinged for 10 goals in the past two starts against Wichita.
Wichita did not have a power play for the first time this season while Tulsa went 0-for-3.
Wichita closes the 2012-13 regular season on Sunday afternoon at home against Missouri. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com .
Wichita Thunder playoff packages are on sale now. There are many ways to get involved, so be a part of the Blue Revolution and the Thunder's quest for a CHL Title. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game for more information. Join the Blue Revolution today!
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- Painchaud Scores Twice, Thunder Win in Tulsa 5-2 - Wichita Thunder
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