CHL Wichita Thunder

Duda and Rozendal Power Offense in Four-Point Week

Published on December 1, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


Four Point Week

The Wichita Thunder won two of three games this week, including a pair of victories over the Tulsa Oilers. Wichita snapped a three-game losing streak on Wednesday at the Kansas Coliseum, tying a season-high in goals, in a 7-3 win over Tulsa. Scott Rozendal scored Wichita's second hat trick of the year, and also added an assist. Jason Duda scored a season-high five points, including four assists. Brad Thompson chipped in two goals and an assist as well. Chris Greene and Bryan Nathe each notched two assists, while Jordan Hack scored his fourth goal of the season. Tim Boron earned his first victory as a member of the Thunder, saving 31 of 34. Troy Ofukany collected two fighting majors, while Andrew Davis picked up a fighting major and an assist. The Thunder scored a season-high three power play goals, while going seven for eight on the penalty kill.

The Thunder beat Tulsa 4-3 in a shootout on Friday at Tulsa for their second straight win. Once again, Duda and Rozendal starred, with each forward scoring a goal and two assists. Oilers' captain Jeff Christian scored with 31 seconds left on the clock in regulation to close out a hat trick and tie the game at 3-3. After neither team scored in overtime, Wichita edged Tulsa in the shootout 2-1, getting goals from Rozendal and Jason Tessier. Tessier was credited with his second shootout game-winner of the season. Krister Toews was strong between the pipes, saving 39 of 42 shots during regulation and overtime, and then stopping four of five shootout attempts. Wichita scored two more goals on the power play. Defenseman Andrew Davis scored his first goal of the season.

Wichita's mini winning streak came to an end the following night, when the Thunder lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at the Coliseum. Bees' forward Evan Rankin scored a tie-breaking goal with 20.7 seconds left in regulation that eventually proved to be the game-winner. Bryan Nathe scored two power play goals for the Thunder, both of which tied the game at the time they were scored. Jason Duda also scored for Wichita, giving the veteran 10 points in three games. Tim Boron took the tough loss, saving 30 of 34. The Thunder pounded out a season-best 44 shots in the loss.

Duda on Fire, Reaches Milestones

Veteran forward Jason Duda scored 10 points last week, including three goals and seven assists. Duda had at least one goal and one assist in all three of Wichita's contests. On Saturday night vs. Rio Grande Valley, Duda appeared in his 700th career CHL game. He currently ranks behind Joe Burton (708), and former teammate Travis Clayton (713) on the league's all-time games played list. Duda's assist on Saturday was also the 509th in his 13-year Thunder career, moving him past Clayton for the most in franchise history. Duda leads the Thunder with 14 assists and 21 points.

Rozendal on Fire Too

Forward Scott Rozendal scored a hat trick on Wednesday and finished the week with seven points of his own. Rozendal also scored a shootout goal in Wichita's win over Tulsa on Friday night. Rozendal leads the team with eight goals and is second with 18 points.

Now Put Them Together

Jason Duda and Scott Rozendal seemed to do most of their damage together, as they combined for 17 points in three games last week. The duo collected a point on the same goal six different times in the three games.

Power Play Successful

Wichita scored seven power play goals in three games last week, including a season-high three power play goals on Wednesday night. Dating back to October 24th, Wichita now has 20 power play goals in its last 15 games. Wichita has moved up to 11th in the league on the man advantage at 16.8%.

Shots Still Not Adding Up

Despite firing a season-high 43 shots against Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, the Thunder dropped the contest 4-3, and are now a bizarre 0-5-1 when outshooting their opponents. Conversely, Wichita is 6-6-0 when they are outshot.

Effect of Two Periods

40 minutes is proving to be a measuring stick for the Thunder. After 18 games, Wichita is 6-1-0 when leading after two periods, while they are 0-10-1 when trailing after two. Interestingly, Wichita has yet to enter a third period tied with their opponent this season.

Davis Chipping In

Defenseman Andrew Davis has scored a point in four consecutive games, including his first goal of the season on Friday night.

Thunder to See Lots of Former Teammate

This week, Wichita will get their first look at longtime Thunder forward Travis Clayton, who now plays for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Wichita travels to Bossier-Shreveport for a game this Thursday, before Clayton and the Mudbugs head to the Coliseum on Saturday night. Clayton spent 11 season with Wichita from 1997-2008, and is among the top three in virtually every offensive category in Thunder history.

Up Next

Thursday's game at Bossier-Shreveport begins at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at www.wichitathunder.com Saturday's game also starts at 7:05 p.m. The Thunder will be hosting Wingnuts "Nuts and Bolt" Night, sponsored by Viega. Students can receive tickets for $7.00 if they present their student ID. A postgame party will follow the contest at the Park City Applebee's, located south of the Coliseum on I-135. For more ticket information, contact the Thunder office at 264-GOAL.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2008


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