Grobins sets Thunder record
January 26, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
BLAZERS NIP THUNDER IN FRONT OF SEASON'S BIGEST CROWD- Peter Robertson broke a 2-2 tie late in the second period and Bryan Forslund added an empty net goal, giving the Blazers a 4-2 win at the Kansas Coliseum on Friday. The two teams combined for 12 majors and 124 penalty minutes in front of a season-high crowd of 7,123. Travis Clayton and Adam Calder scored goals for the Thunder.
THUNDER COMEBACK SHOCKS BLAZERS- Trailing 1-0 for almost 50 minutes, Jason Duda deflected a Jan Vrtik shot past Boyd Ballard, tying things up with the Blazers on Saturday. Just over five minutes later, newcomer Joe Blaznek scored his first Thunder goal, leading Wichita to victory in front of a stunned crowd of 13,751 at the Ford Center. Nathan Grobins recorded his 19th victory of the season, making 29 saves.
GORILLAS COMEBACK SHOCKS THUNDER- Mark DeSantis scored a power play goal just seven seconds into the third period, tying the game at 2-2 and taking the wind out of the Thunder sails. David Rattray capped the Amarillo comeback with less than six minutes remaining on Sunday at the Kansas Coliseum. Adam Calder and Joe Blaznek scored goals for the Thunder, who lost for the first time this season when leading after two periods.
GROBINS EXTENDS RECORD STREAK TO 14 STRAIGHT GAMES- CHL All-Star goaltender Nathan Grobins' victory on Saturday night came in record-breaking style, as Grobins was making his 13th consecutive start. Grobins broke the Thunder record of 12 straight starts held by Bobby Desjardins all the way back in 1992-93, the CHL's inaugural season. Grobins extended the streak to 14 on Sunday and could add to it with just two Thunder games ahead this weekend. In between the streak, Grobins managed to squeeze in 30 minutes of action at the 2004 Dodge CHL All-Star Game on Thursday, recording the victory in the North's 12-9 triumph over the South. Prior to the game, Grobins also won the CHL's top goaltending award, stopping 14 of 15 shots in the skills competition. Thunder newcomer Joie Blaznek also had a good all-star game, picking up a goal and an assist playing his last game as a member of the Southern Conference.
CALDER, DUDA EXTEND STREAK- Adam Calder's goal on Sunday extended his scoring streak to a Thunder season-high 12 games. Calder's streak is now the third longest current streak in the CHL. Jason Duda assisted on Calder's goal, extending his scoring streak to 10 games. Over the last 10 games, the line of Calder, Duda and Travis Clayton has combined for 48 points. Calder leads the CHL with 11 PPG's.
INJURY REPORT- Defenseman Peter Runkel, out since December 7th, hopes to return to the Thunder lineup this Friday, while forward Trevor Allman is expected to play on Saturday. Veteran Mark Kolesar, who left last night's game in the first period, is listed as day-to-day. Rookie defenseman Darryl Green is still about two weeks away from returning to the lineup.
THUNDERBOLTS- The Thunder are 7-4-0 in the month of January...Rookie Ryan Olynyk leads the CHL with 24 major penalties...The Thunder are second in the CHL, averaging 26.88 penalty minutes per game...Rookie Les Hrapchak is now +17 in his last 16 games.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: Friday, January 23- Oklahoma City 4 at Wichita 2 Loss
Saturday, January 24- Wichita 2 at Oklahoma City 1 Win
Sunday, January 25- Amarillo 3 at Wichita 2 Loss
THIS WEEK'S GAMES: Friday, January 30- Rio Grande Valley at Wichita 7:30 PM AM 1070
Saturday, January 31- Colorado at Wichita 7:30 PM AM 1070
PRACTICE SCHEDULE: Tuesday-Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM
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Central Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2004
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- CHL Names Bauer/Nike Player of the Week, Vaughn Goaltender of the Week - CHL
- Reid Named CHL Goalie of the Week - San Angelo Saints
- Grobins sets Thunder record - Wichita Thunder
- Joe at Joe's has new line-up for the week - Amarillo Gorillas
- Gorillas face off against San Angelo Thursday - Amarillo Gorillas
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- Woollard called up to St. John's of AHL - Fort Worth Brahmas
- RiverKings, Ponder's Restaurant Will Help Make-A-Wish - Mississippi RiverKings
- Saints week in review - San Angelo Saints
- RiverKings will visit more classrooms soon as part of literacy program - Mississippi RiverKings
- Oilers Weekly - Tulsa Oilers
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