Flath Nets Hat Trick to Give Thunder Berry Crown and Governor's Cup
March 20, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
North Richland Hills, TX (March 20th) - Alex Bourret scored just over six minutes into the third period and Wichita (44-16-3) held on late for a 6-5 win over the Texas Brahmas (32-23-8) Tuesday night at the NYTEX Sports Centre. RG Flath recorded his first professional hat trick and Chris Chappell added two goals. With the win, Wichita wins a Berry Conference title and claims the Governor's Cup for the most overall points in the CHL. Wichita will have the number one seed and home-ice throughout the playoffs.
Wichita rebounded from giving up a goal just two minutes into the game as Flath and Chappell combined for three to give the Thunder a 3-1 lead after the first 20 minutes. Flath (21) tied the game at one off a face-off at 13:28. Wichita was awarded a power play and scored four seconds into the man advantage when Jarred Mohr sent a shot on net and a Flath tip beat Brahmas starter Ken Carroll. Chappell (13, 14) scored the next two with the first at 13:55 and the second at 17:31. After allowing three goals on five shots, Carroll was given the hook and Mark Guggenberger finished out the game.
Texas turned the tables in the second, outscoring Wichita 3-2 in the period. Adam Hogg and Sy Nutkevitch scored for Texas while Flath (22, 23) had two for the Thunder. His hat trick goal came at 16:17 when Daniel Tetrault fired a shot from the blue line and Flath put home the rebound to make it 5-4 heading into the third.
At 6:16 of the third period, Bourret (19) put home a rebound during a scramble in front of the Brahmas net to make it 6-4. Tetrault and Kevin Seibel were sent to the box with 11 minutes to go in the game and Wichita was forced to kill off a five-on-three power play. Adam Russo made some spectacular saves and kept the Brahmas from pulling closer. With 30 seconds to go, Guggenberger went to the bench and Texas pulled within one when Dan Nicholls scored to make it 6-5. The Thunder held on for the remainder of the contest and earned its 44th win of the season.
Russo won for the 27th time this season, stopping 21 of 26 shots he faced. Mohr had three assists, Bourret and Beauregard had two points and Matt Summers extended his point streak to seven games with an assist. Flath's hat trick was the fifth hat trick this season for Wichita, as five different Thunder players have recorded a hat trick.
Wichita ties its all-time win total that was set back in 1994-95 and also ties its all-time road win total (20) that was set back in 1994-95.
Wichita went 2-for-3 on the power play while the Brahmas went 2-for-8. Wichita's six goals ties a season-high for goals against in a game for the Brahmas.
Wichita returns home for the final two home games of the season on Friday and Saturday as Allen and Evansville come to town. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com .
Wichita Thunder playoff packages and season tickets for 2012-13 are now on sale. A $50 dollar non-refundable deposit is required for all season tickets. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 if you are interested in playoff packages or season tickets, or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game.
Individual tickets are on sale now for Games 1 and 2 in the CHL Playoffs. Game 1 is set for Friday, March 30th at 7:05 p.m. and Game 2 is set for Sunday, April 1st at 5:05 p.m. Join the Blue Revolution!
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2012
- Flath Nets Hat Trick to Give Thunder Berry Crown and Governor's Cup - Wichita Thunder
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