Thunder Weekly Update
February 16, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
The Wichita Thunder started their week in thrilling fashion, defeating the Tulsa Oilers 5-4 in a shootout on Tuesday night at the BOK Center. After building a 3-0 lead behind two goals from Jordan Hack, and Ben Boudreau's first score as a member of the Thunder, the Oilers rallied to score four straight to take a 4-3 lead in the third period. Jason Duda rescued the Thunder, scoring with less than four minutes left in regulation to send the game to overtime. After neither team scored in the extra frame, the Thunder dominated the Oilers 3-0 in the shootout, with Marc Belanger earning credit for the game-winner. Duda and Jason Tessier also scored in the shootout. Krister Toews earned the win, saving 27 of 31, and also improved to 4-0 in overtime on the road.
The Thunder carried a 2-0 lead well into the third period over the Rocky Mountain Rage on Friday, but the Rage scored three straight goals in a span of 5:48 to take the lead and hold on for a 3-2 win at the Kansas Coliseum. Joel Hanson scored Wichita's quickest goal of the season, giving the Thunder a 1-0 lead just 54 seconds into the game. Marc Belanger scored for the second straight night, making it 2-0 Thunder in the third before the Rage surged ahead. Krister Toews saved 32 of 35 in the loss. Jason Tessier collected two assists.
The Thunder suffered its sixth shutout of the season on Saturday, losing 6-0 to the Tulsa Oilers. Jeff Christian scored five points, including two goals to lead the Oilers offense. The Thunder managed a season-high 44 penalty minutes, including fighting majors from Chris Shudo, Andrew Davis, Troy Ofukany, and the first in the career of Chris Tarkir. Krister Toews took the loss, saving 27 of 33.
Attendance Thriving
After hosting 6,412 fans on Saturday night, the Thunder improved its season average to 5,400 fans per game. The Thunder ranks second in the league in attendance for the fourth consecutive season, with almost 1,700 fans per game more than the league average. Wichita has already sold out two contests this season, with 9,560 fans on October 18th, and 9,487 on January 24th.
Player Notes
Jason Duda has 24 points in his last 22 games, including 11 goals. Andrew Davis has four fighting majors in his last five games. Mike Zbriger had a 7-game point streak snapped on Saturday. The streak ran from January 30th through February 13th. Brad Thompson had a 4-game point streak snapped on Saturday. Thompson has six points in five games since missing 14 contests due to injury. Joel Hanson has five points in his last seven games. Pascal Bedard has seven assists in his last 10 games. Jordan Hack has nine points in his last 11 games.
Duda Breaks Another Thunder Record
Jason Duda, already the Thunder's all-time leader in games played, goals, assists, and points, set another Thunder record on Tuesday night. After scoring a shootout goal in Wichita's 5-4 win over Tulsa, Duda passed Travis Clayton for most shootout goals in franchise history. Duda is 21 for 68 with the Thunder in shootouts in his career. Duda is closing in on several other Thunder records. His 99 power play goals only trail Clayton's 110, while his 42 game-winning goals only trail Clayton's 50.
Toews Clutch on Road
After earning the win in Wichita's 5-4 shootout victory over Tulsa on Tuesday, rookie goaltender Krister Toews improved to 4-0 in overtime this season on the road, including a 3-0 mark in road shootouts. Toews is 11 for 13 in shootout attempts against this year. Overall, Toews has picked up the win in all seven of the Thunder's road victories this season.
Brutal Schedule Ahead
The Wichita Thunder play seven of their next nine games on the road, which is only the beginning of the schedule's level of difficulty. After this weekend's game's at Mississippi, the Thunder returns home Wednesday to play the Oilers. The Thunder will depart for Rapid City after the game and take on the Rush the following Friday and Saturday. The Thunder then must make the trip back to Wichita to take on the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at home the following night. Later on in the first week of March, The Thunder plays three games in three nights in three different cities, traveling to Oklahoma City, Bossier-Shreveport, and Tulsa respectively from Thursday-Saturday.
Injury Update
Scott Rozendal, who suffered a punctured lung last week in practice, and Stan Yanchishyn, who suffered an injury to his eye, are both on the 14-Day IR and will be eligible to return after this weekend. Greg Cassista suffered a lower-body injury during Friday's game versus Rocky Mountain and will be re-evaluated this week. Connor MacDonald, who played the entire season with injuries in both of his shoulders, is on the Season-Ending IR. Jonathan Bernier (foot) and Mike Batovanja (knee) are currently on the 30-Day IR. Batovanja has resumed skating and hopes to return this season. Tim Boron has not played since January 30th, a span of seven games, due to an injury and is still considered day-to-day.
Up Next
The Thunder open a two-game weekend series against the Mississippi Riverkings on Friday. Opening faceoff for Friday's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Coverage can be heard at www.wichitathunder.com The Thunder next plays at home on Wednesday, February 25th when they host the Tulsa Oilers. Hot Dogs will cost just $1.00 for the 7:05 p.m. game, courtesy of Bar S Foods. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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