Thunder Upended by Beast 3-2 on Black Friday
November 30, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS - Calin Wild scored with just over six minutes left to claim a see-saw affair for the Brampton Beast (9-8-1), knocking off the Thunder (3-11-4) by the final of 3-2 at INTRUST Bank Arena on Black Friday. Jon Booras and Jared Walker provided the offense for Wichita in the losing effort. The Thunder trails the season-series, 2-1 with each game being decided by the same outcome. The two teams will not see each other until February.
Right out of the gate, Wichita got a fortunate bounce and scored the first goal of the game for just the sixth time this season. A Brampton turnover found its way onto the stick of Walker who fired a wrist shot onto Kristopher Westblom. The puck glazed off of his glove and bounced over the goal line to make it 1-0 at 1:30 of the first period. The Beast quickly answered at 3:58 after the Thunder received a power play. After the ensuing face-off, a Thunder defender lost his footing in the Brampton zone that allowed the Beast to move up the ice on an odd-man rush. Rob Collins found Ben Woodley who beat newly acquired Thunder goaltender David Brown to tie the game at one.
In the second period, Wichita's defense took control allowing just three shots on net while finding some quality scoring chances of their own. Westblom was up to the task on several opportunities, including a Matt Robinson chance from the right circle and another from Ian Lowe. The game remained locked at one goal a-piece heading into the final 20 minutes.
Brampton took advantage of a boarding penalty six minutes into the third period and grabbed its first lead of the game with a power play goal from Matt Caruana. Wichita responded less than five minutes later when Jon Booras ripped a shot from the right circle on the man advantage and evened up the score once again. Wild scored the game-winner at 14:13 after he beat a defender off the wall, received a pass at the right circle and found the back of the net for a 3-2 advantage. Down the stretch, the Thunder had two more power plays that were unsuccessful as Westblom continued to hold the fort. Wichita pulled Brown with less than a minute to go, but it was not enough and the Beast hung on for a 3-2 win.
Wichita falls to 2-4-4 in one-goal games. Booras has recorded points in his last three games with his third of the season. Martens extended his point-streak to six games (2g, 6a) and assist-streak to five games. Brown took the loss, stopping 15 of 18 shots. Westblom claimed the win, stopping 29 of 31 shots he faced.
Wichita went 1-for-8 on the power play. Brampton was 1-for-6.
Wichita heads to Missouri tomorrow night for the first of three-straight against the Mavericks at 7:05 p.m. and its first road game since November 12th. The Thunder return home to face Missouri on Thursday, December 5th at 7:05 p.m.
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 30, 2013
- Sundogs Close out Series, Lose 4-1 to Americans - Arizona Sundogs
- Rapid City Takes Lead in Season Series - Denver Cutthroats
- Beast Score Twice Late; Edge Chill in Shootout - St. Charles Chill
- Thunder Climb Back for 3-2 Shootout Win at Missouri - Wichita Thunder
- Americans Beat Arizona Again to Win the Series - Allen Americans
- Mavericks Take 1 Point against Thunder - Kansas City Mavericks
- Mallards Blast Tulsa 9-3; Ruskowski Moves into Third Place in CHL - Quad City Mallards
- Oilers Clobbered by Mallards in Ugly 9-3 Loss - Tulsa Oilers
- Central Hockey League Announces Suspensions - CHL
- Andrew Courtney Suspended 2 Games - Kansas City Mavericks
- Thunder Upended by Beast 3-2 on Black Friday - Wichita Thunder
- Arizona Fall to Americans 3-5 Loss - Arizona Sundogs
- Chill Fights to the End in 4-3 Loss - St. Charles Chill
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