CHL Wichita Thunder

Leiter, Duda Milestones Aid Playoff Push

Published on January 19, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


THUNDER BEAT MEMPHIS IS SHOOTOUT...AGAIN- The Thunder stormed back from a 3-1 deficit then defeated Memphis 5-4 in a shootout on Thursday night. Travis Clayton, Chris Low and Jason Duda led the comeback with three straight power play goals. In the shootout, Anders Strome, Low and Adam Calder added goals, while Goaltender Nathan Grobins stopped all three Memphis attempts. The victory moved Wichita's all-time shootout record versus Memphis to a perfect 12-0.

THUNDER SPLIT WEEKEND SET IN INDY- The Thunder stormed out to a 4-1 lead, then fought off an Ice rally, taking a 5-4 win at Indianapolis on Friday. Jeff Leiter scored the game-winner, breaking a 4-4 tie midway through the third period. Duda and Clayton scored Thunder goals, while second-year defensemen Rico Fatticci and Chad Mazurak also added goals. Nathan Grobins recorded the victory, Wichita's first regulation win over the Ice in the last 20 meetings. The Ice got revenge on Saturday, breaking a 1-1 third period tie with a power play goal. Despite the loss, Nathan Grobins was stellar between the pipes, making 42 saves. Adam Calder had Wichita's lone goal, extending his scoring streak to nine straight games. The Thunder, 9-4-0 in the last 13 games, went 4-2-0 on the six-game road trip.

DUDA REACHES 500 CLUB- Veteran Jason Duda's second period goal on Friday capped a three-point night and was the left wingers 500th career point. Duda, in his eighth straight season with the Thunder, picked up five points this past weekend and has scored a point in seven straight games. Duda has amassed 205 goals and 501 career points and is just seven points shy of 500 for his Thunder career.

PENALTY MINUTE CHAMP- Jeff Leiter's first period fight with Ken Boone on Saturday pushed Leiter past Sean O'Reilly for the most penalty minutes in franchise history. Leiter, who leads the Thunder with 69 career major penalties, has picked up 931 penalty minutes in 211 career Thunder games. Leiter is second on the Thunder this season, with 135 penalty minutes.

INJURY REPORT- Defenseman Peter Runkel, out since December 7th, hopes to be cleared to return to the Thunder lineup this Friday. Defensemen Darryl Green and Ryan Olynyk are both questionable for this weekend, pending further examination. Green has missed the last three games, while Olynyk has missed the last two.

THUNDERBOLTS- The Thunder, 5-0-0 in their last five home games, will wear Kansas State jerseys this Friday versus Oklahoma City...The Blazers will be wearing Oklahoma State uniforms...Rookie Ryan Olynyk is still second in the CHL with 22 major penalties...Anders Strome leads all CHL rookies with 33 points...Rookie Les Hrapchak is +16 in his last 13 games...Goaltender Nathan Grobins has started 11 straight games, going 7-4-0, and is just one start shy of the franchise record for consecutive starts by a goaltender, held by Bobby Desjardins in 1992-93...The Thunder power play unit ranks sixth in the CHL, at 16.4%...The Thunder are third in the CHL, allowing just 29.53 shots per game.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

Thursday, January 15- Wichita 5 at Memphis 4 Win (SO)

Friday, January 16- Wichita 5 at Indianapolis 4 Win

Saturday, January 17- Wichita 1 at Indianapolis 3 Loss

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Friday, January 23- Oklahoma City at Wichita 7:30 PM AM 1070

Saturday, January 24- Wichita at Oklahoma City 7:35 PM AM 1070

Sunday, January 25- Amarillo at Wichita 6:00 PM AM 1070

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2004


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