Early Hole Dooms Thunder in 3-1 Loss at Tulsa
February 8, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Tulsa, OK - Wichita (19-21-4) fell behind early and couldn't recover on Saturday night, falling 3-1 to the Tulsa Oilers (21-22-3) at the BOK Center. Matt Robinson recorded his 21st goal of the season in the losing effort and his 106th of his Thunder career. Wichita dips to 3-4-1 in the StoneWolf Casino Cup series. The Thunder will finish the weekend tomorrow afternoon at home against the Missouri Mavericks to close out a three-in-three.
Tulsa grabbed the lead when Adam Pleskach put home a rebound during a scramble in front of Taylor Nelson's net to make it 1-0 at 2:51. The Oilers had the advantage in the shot department in the first few minutes and increased its lead to 2-0 on a Ryan Menei tally. With Jon Booras in the box, Menei walked off the left wall and fired a wrist shot past Nelson's glove at 9:46.
Neither team found the back of the net in the second period. Wichita had some good looks, but Shane Madolora stood tall. Robinson had several chances including one on the power play when he caught a pass from Booras across the front of the net. The Thunder had two chances with the man advantage, but couldn't get one through and entered the final 20 minutes down by two.
In the third, Wichita finally got one through as Robinson caught a centering feed at the right hash from Booras and beat Madolora to cut the lead to one. The Thunder tilted the ice through the first eight minutes trying to get the equalizer. Halfway through the final frame, Nick McParland was called for slashing and gave Tulsa a late power play. Wichita killed of the opportunity for the Oilers, but couldn't get the puck out of its defensive zone. Michel Beausoleil took advantage and tallied his 26th of the season at 12:22 to re-gain a two-goal cushion for Tulsa as he worked the puck down low and got one through the arm of Nelson. Late in the game, Wichita pulled its goalie trying to get back into the contest. Tulsa had several looks at an empty-net but held on for the 3-1 win.
Wichita falls three points back of the Oilers for the eighth playoff spot. Robinson has three goals in the last three games. Booras claimed an assist and has seven helpers over the last six contests. Nelson suffers his seventh loss of the year, stopping 22 of 25 shots. Madolora earned the number one star, stopping 28 of 29 shots.
Wichita went 0-for-3 on the power play. Tulsa was 1-for-2 with the man advantage.
Wichita finishes the weekend at home tomorrow afternoon against the Missouri Mavericks at 5:05 p.m. The Thunder will make its first-ever trip to Canada to take on the Brampton Beast for a three-game set starting next Friday night.
Individual game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets and mini plans are still available. Don't delay, contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625. Stay up-to-date on all the news this off-season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2014
- Mavericks Take No. 1 Spot in CHL - Kansas City Mavericks
- Early Hole Dooms Thunder in 3-1 Loss at Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
- Levesque Hat Trick Powers Mallards Past Chill in Front of 8,761 - Quad City Mallards
- Chill Battle Early But Fall Late - St. Charles Chill
- Missouri Wins First Place Showdown - Allen Americans
- 8,761 Watch Mallards Down St. Charles - Quad City Mallards
- Game Preview: Rush vs Cutthroats - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Pick up 5-2 Win over Quad City - Allen Americans
- Thunder Streak Stopped in 4-1 Loss to Mavs - Wichita Thunder
- Sundogs Deny Beast in 3-2 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Rush Fall To Cutthroats Despite Spirited Late - Rapid City Rush
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