Gritty Thunder Pulls Off Huge Win
March 19, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
INDEPENDENCE, MO- The Wichita Thunder beat the Missouri Mavericks 5-3 at the Independence Events Center on Saturday night.
A.J. Gale scored twice, while Troy Schwab scored the game-winning goal with 2:33 left in regulation. It marked Wichita's first regulation win at the Independence Events Center in 10 games over the last two seasons.
Tied at 3-3 in the third, Brent Cullaton backhanded a pass from the left corner out to the crease where Schwab backhanded it past the left of Mavericks' goaltender Gerry Festa for the go-ahead goal. Matt Robinson sealed the game with an empty netter at 19:40.
For a second straight night, the Mavericks used an early goal to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Ryan Jardine wristed a shot past Kevin Beech 39 seconds into the game after taking a pass from Steven Later. Aaron Davis tied it for Wichita at 10:37, ripping a shot from the left circle that Festa deadened, but could not stop from trickling through his five-hole. Missouri re-gained the lead at 13:04 on a two-man advantage when Ray DiLauro scored on a one-timer from the right circle.
Mike Wakita scored from the left boards at 8:48 in the second to give Missouri a 3-1 lead, but Gale scored consecutive goals at 9:44 and 17:06 to tie the game. Gale's first goal came on a backdoor pass that originated from Daniel Tetrault at the point, with Gale shooting past Festa's right. The second came during a Thunder power play with Gale driving to the net and lifting the puck over Festa's left shoulder before being hauled down in front of the crease.
Kevin Beech stopped 22 of 25 for the win. Festa was 25 of 29 in the loss. The win pulls the Thunder within two points of both Missouri and Bloomington for third place in the Turner Conference playoff race.
Wichita was 2 for 5 on the power play and has scored two power play goals in three consecutive games. Missouri was 1 for 7 on the man advantage.
Prior to the game, Lance Galbraith and Mike Looby were placed on the 10-Day IR. Jason Goulet was activated from the 10-Day IR, while Cullaton returned from team suspension.
The Thunder and Mavericks play for a third straight game in Independence again on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Sports Radio 1550 KKLE and worldwide at www.kleyam.com Wichita returns home on Friday, March 25th when they host the Tulsa Oilers. For tickets, call the arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com For information on Thunder playoff tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2011
- Ulanski's Hat Trick Helps Eagles Stay on Top of Turner Conference - Colorado Eagles
- Rush Earn Weekend Sweep Over Bucks with 4-1 Win - Rapid City Rush
- Brahmas Dethroned by 'Kings 4-3 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bucks Catch a Grenade, Fall 4-1 - Laredo Bucks
- Mallards Partner with Genesis Health System to Raise $19,150 - Quad City Mallards
- Sheldrake Gives RiverKings A Three-Game Winning Streak - Mississippi RiverKings
- Mallards defeat Gems 4 - 2 - Dayton Gems
- Buzz Kill: Americans Swat Away Bees, 3-1 - Allen Americans
- DeCaro Stops 49 as âBugs Survive PrairieThunder - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- PrairieThunder Drops 4-2 Decision to Bossier-Shreveport on Saturday Night - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Riddle, Mallards Drop Dayton - Quad City Mallards
- Ramsay Beats Oilers in Overtime, 3-2 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Killer Bees Can't Catch Americans, Fall 3-1 - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Gritty Thunder Pulls Off Huge Win - Wichita Thunder
- PrairieThunder Announce Chicago Blackhawks Day with Denis Savard - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Mallards' Brown Called up to AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins - Quad City Mallards
- Bucks Close out Series with Rush - Laredo Bucks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
