Battle for First Place Goes to Allen, Wichita Loses 5-3
December 8, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Allen, TX- In a battle for first place in the Berry Conference, Wichita fell to the Allen Americans 5-3 Thursday night at the Allen Event Center. The Americans netted two third period goals to break a tie game in the third and earned its first win against Wichita this season. The victory puts Wichita three points back of the Americans in the standings while the Thunder does have one game in hand heading into the weekend.
Matt Robinson continues to be red hot, finding the back of the net twice in the first period to open up the scoring for the Thunder. His first goal came at 2:52 as he blasted a one timer fom Aaron Davis and beat Americans goalie Marco Cousineau. The second came at 15:08 as he caught a pass in the neutral zone, angled to the left wing circle and took a wrister that was deflected off an Allen stick, giving Wichita a 2-0 lead.
The Americans answered with three consecutive goals in the second period before Justin Sawyer scored to tie the game at three. Sawyer's first goal of the year came 18 seconds after the Americans took their first lead of the hockey game when Nick Layton scored at 16:54.
In the third, Wichita had a five-on-three powerplay for one minute, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. After a Thomas Beauregard penalty evened things up at four skaters aside, Allen broke the tie with a power play goal from Jarret Lukin at 9:54 to make it 4-3. The Americans added a late power play goal and held on for a 5-3 win. With the loss, Wichita is now 12-6-0 overall and lost for the first time this season when leading after the first period.
Wichita heads 41 miles down the road to Fort Worth to take on the Texas Brahmas Friday night at 7:30pm before returning home Saturday against Texas at 7:05pm. Saturday is Teddy Bear Toss night. Bring a new stuffed animal and throw it on the ice when the Thunder score its first goal. The stuffed animals are then donated to local charities and delivered by the Thunder players to less fortunate children around the Wichita area. For tickets to Saturdays game against Texas, go to the INTRUST Bank Arena box office, call 755-SEAT or go to www.selectaseat.com.
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