Bennefield, Martens Clutch in Overtime Thriller
November 6, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
INDEPENDENCE, MO- The Wichita Thunder stunned the Missouri Mavericks with a 4-3 overtime win at the Independence Events Center on Saturday Night.
The Thunder tied the game with 16.3 seconds left in regulation and won with less than four seconds left in overtime to capture their fifth consecutive victory and first ever against the Mavericks. At 5-4-0, the Thunder's win percentage is over .500 for the first time since March 7th, 2007. The Thunder also has more wins than total losses mid-season for the first time since November 16th, 2006.
With an extra attacker in the closing minute of the game, Lance Galbraith made a backdoor pass from behind Missouri's net to Jesse Bennefield, who buried the puck to tie the game.
In the final seconds of the overtime period, Troy Schwab carried the puck down the right wing boards before making a last second pass to Andrew Martens who crashed the net and forced the puck past Mavericks' goaltender Rob Nolan for the win.
Missouri seized control of the game in the third with two goals, erasing a 2-1 Thunder lead. Mike Berry tied it at 2-2 just 27 seconds in with a power play goal. Nick Sirota made it 3-2 at 10:48 with a low shot to the left of Marty Magers.
With the Thunder trailing 1-0 in the first, Mike Looby tied the game with a power play goal at 12:46. Looby worked down the right side of the offensive zone before taking a feed from Aaron Davis that he used to beat Nolan from point-blank range. The Thunder used a five-on-three power play goal from Martens at 17:01 to take their first lead of the game. With the Thunder collpasing on the Mavericks' net, Martens ripped a shot from the top of the right circle that deflected off of Nolan before crossing the goal line.
Magers earned the win, his third in a row, saving 23 of 26 in regulation and overtime. Nolan took the loss saving 26 of 30. Wichita was 2 for 7 on the power play while Missouri was 1 for 3.
The Thunder returns home Friday to host the Mavericks at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2010
- Brahmas Shut Door On 'Dogs, Win 4-0 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Odessa Falls Short to Killer Bees, 4-1 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Brahmas, Kevin Beech Shut Out Sundogs, 4-0 - Arizona Sundogs
- Mallards Partner with Genesis Health System - Quad City Mallards
- Wichita Shocks Mavericks, 4-3 in Overtime - Kansas City Mavericks
- Streaks Alive! RiverKings Win Second Straight - Mississippi RiverKings
- Americans Outlast Mudbugs to Take Over First Place - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Gems Earn a Point, But Fall in Shootout 5-4 - Dayton Gems
- Killer Bees Sweep Odessa With 4-1 Victory - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Bucks' Win Streak Snapped By Rush - Laredo Bucks
- Bennefield, Martens Clutch in Overtime Thriller - Wichita Thunder
- Mallards, Russo Down Bloomington 3-1 - Quad City Mallards
- PrairieThunder Loses to Quad City 3-1 on Saturday Night - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Eagles Stretch Streak to 7 With Shootout Win - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings Host Oilers Tonight - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks to Honor Bes, Host Rush Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Rush Fall to Bucks 5-2 - Rapid City Rush
- Jacks Stung by Bees in Marathon Shootout - Odessa Jackalopes
- Americans Blast Brahmas 4-2, Move to 7-2-0 - Allen Americans
- Mavs drill Oilers, 4-2 - Kansas City Mavericks
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