Robinson, Russo Named Finalists for Post-Season Awards
March 7, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS (March 7th) - The Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that forward Matt Robinson and goaltender Adam Russo have been selected as finalists for post-season awards. Robinson has been selected as a finalist for the Most Valuable Player Award and Russo has been nominated as a finalist for the Scott Brower Award given to the Most Outstanding Goaltender. Both are among four other finalists that will be announced at a later date.
Robinson, 27, has been instrumental in leading Wichita to the top of the Central Hockey League standings. With a number of top players on the shelf at some point during the season, Robinson flourished after returning from missing two games before the beginning of February. The South Surrey, BC native led the Thunder last month with 12 goals and six assists and was a +11. In February, he had four multi-goal games and scored five of his eight game-winning goals. He recorded three straight game-winners that helped earn him Oakley Player of the Week Honors for the week of February 20th and was named the Oakley Number One Star for the month. Robinson is one goal shy of reaching 30 for the second straight season and is just three goals shy of moving into a three-way tie for 8th place all-time for goals scored in Thunder history. Robinson currently has 68 and can tie Paul Jackson and Cory Dosdall, who both have 71. Overall, Robinson has 29 goals and 21 assists and is a +19.
Russo, 29, was brought over in the off-season to solidify the goaltender position and he has done just that. The Montreal, PQ native set a new career-high in wins (25) and sits in third place in the CHL in that category. He is tied for the league-lead in shutouts (3), first in shootout wins (6) and third in minutes played (2182:53). Russo has earned Goalie of the Week Honors twice this season, once for the week of November 29th and once for the week of December 20th.
The full list of nominees is listed below:
Most Valuable Player Finalists
Bruce Graham, Allen
Shawn Limpright, Rapid City
Brandon Marino, Quad City
Matt Robinson, Wichita
Todd Robinson, Evansville
Most Outstanding Goaltender (Scott Brower Award) Finalists
Nick Boucher, Fort Wayne
Charlie Effinger, Missouri
Bryan Gillis, Evansville
Mark Guggenberger, Texas
Adam Russo, Wichita
Most Outstanding Defenseman Finalists
Frankie DeAngelis, Fort Wayne
Matt Gens, Evansville
Darren McMillan, Quad City
Dave Pszenyczny, Missouri
Riley Weselowski, Rapid City
Rookie of the Year Finalists
Jared Brown, Quad City
Andrew Courtney, Missouri
Bryan Gillis, Evansville
Mark Guggenberger, Texas
Mike Ullrich, Tulsa
Wichita closes out its five-game road swing with two games in Rapid City this Friday and Saturday and will return to the Air Capital on March 14th against the Rush. 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.
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