Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Game 3 Recap
Published on May 4, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
What a homecoming as the Wichita Thunder returned home for the first time since April 11 and rewarded the crowd of 6,184 with an impressive 5-2 victory over the Allen Americans in Game 3 of the CHL Finals taking a two games to one lead in the series. Wichita is now a perfect 5-0 at home in the playoffs as Game 4 is set at the INTRUST Bank Arena for Sunday with a 5:05 CT face-off time.
Both teams had to play with a different line-up than the first two games as Wichita's Nathan Lutz and Allen's Jason Deitsch were both suspended for Game 3 because of their actions in Game 2.
Wichita controlled play early and had some big hits in the offensive zone. The line of Greger Hanson, R.G. Flath and Matt Robinson caused all kinds of problems in the early going forAllen generating several chances.
Allen frustrated the Wichita faithful about five minutes into the game when they held the puck behind their net allowing for a full change for both teams. The subsequent breakout had some problems and the Thunder took the turnover and a give-and-go play between Hanson and Flath led the Hanson getting the puck all alone to the right of Aaron Dell and he beat the goalie on the backhand scoring his fifth goal of the post-season.
That line wasn't done as Hanson's hit behind the Allen cage near the midway point of the period created a losses puck and Allen out of position defensively. Flath picked up a loose puck and danced to the right of Dell from behind the cage and slid the puck into the empty net. It was his seventh goal of the playoffs and it gave Wichita a 2-0 lead.
Allen had their chances in the second half of the period with three power play chances but Wichita's penalty kill was up for the task killing the two in the period and half of the one that carried over to the second frame.
Wichita outshot the Americans 9-4 in the period with Torrie Jung stopping all nine shots he faced.
Allen had the power play from the end of the first and they made it count as Kale Kerbashian made a great pass finding Brian McMillin on the back door. McMillin buried the puck cutting the lead to 2-1 (it was his team leading and league leading 10th goal of the post-season).
The Thunder received their first power play of the game just past the midway point and they cashed in. Flath was set-up with a perfect spot in the slot and his blast snuck through the squeezed arm of Dell where Hanson cleaned it up for his second goal of the night making the score 3-1.
The Americans tilted the shot board in the middle frame with 11 shots on goal compared to Wichita's six.
The Thunder built on their lead in the third period when Kevin Young found Ian Lowe on the right wing and he found a hole through the legs of Dell for his fourth goal of the playoffs and a 4-1 lead.
Wichita had a chance to put things away later in the period with a two-man advantage but the Allen defense stood strong and held the Thunder at bay.
In the third period, Allen's Darryl Bootland was assessed a Match Penalty for attempting to injure and his status for Game 4 is no in question.
Allen pulled their goaltender with a few minutes left in the final periods trying to generate something and Chad Painchaud was able to put any doubt to rest as he scored his fourth goal of the playoffs.
Allen's Jim McKenzie added a goal, his fourth of the playoffs, in the final minute but it was too late.
Wichita outshot the Americans 24-20 in the game as Jung improved to 10-1 in the playoffs makinfg18 saves. Dell falls to 9-6.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 4, 2013
- Flath, Hanson Propel Thunder to Game 3 Win over Allen - Wichita Thunder
- Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Game 3 Recap - CHL
- Central Hockey League Announces Suspensions for Game 3 - CHL
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