Despite Lopsided Power Plays, Thunder Wins in Shootout
January 21, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
INDEPENDENCE, MO- The Wichita Thunder defeated the Missouri Mavericks 4-3 in a shootout at the Independence Events Center on Friday night.
The Thunder outscored the Mavs 2-0 in the shootout, which lasted only four rounds. Matt Robinson earned credit for the game-winner, sniping Wichita's first attempt through Missouri goaltender Rob Nolan. After Marc-Antoine Gelinas stopped the Mavericks' first four attempts, Bobby Hughes sealed the win with a hard wrist shot past Nolan's right.
The shootout followed an overtime in which the Thunder narrowly missed winning the game on several occasions. Wichita perservered through nine Missouri power plays to four of their own. The Mavericks did not have a penalty called on them after the 10:22 mark in the second and were awarded two separate two-man advantages.
The Thunder took an early 1-0 when Jesse Bennefield scored at 3:09 in the first. Bennefield skated around two Missouri defensemen, broke towards the crease, and beat Nolan with a backhander through the five-hole. Robinson made it 2-0 Wichita at 7:10. Aaron Davis took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone and led a two-on-one rush with Robinson. Davis made a cross-crease pass to his left where Robinson shot over Nolan's right shoulder.
Missouri cut Wichita's lead in half at 7:24 in the second. Ryan Jardine scored on the power play using a snapshot from the right faceoff circle. Lance Galbraith made it 3-1 Thunder at 9:06, pounding in a close-range rebound setup by Hughes. Nathan O'Nabigon again made it a one-goal game at the 12:45 mark, slipping the puck past the right of Gelinas from the slot during a five-on-three power play.
Missouri tied the game at 3-3, winning a scrum in front of the net with just 1:33 left in regulation. Mike Berry was credited with the goal.
Gelinas saved 25 of 28 in regulation and overtime for the win. Nolan stopped 28 of 31 in the loss. The Thunder was 0 for 4 on the power play while Missouri was 2 for 9.
The Thunder hosts the Mavericks Saturday night 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.
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