Rookies Help Thunder Over Tulsa
February 25, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder defeated the Tulsa Oilers 5-2 on Wednesday night at the Kansas Coliseum. Jordan Hack and Marc Belanger each scored two goals, while John Daigneau earned his first victory as a member of the Thunder.
Trailing 1-0 in the first, Belanger tied the game, scoring on a rebound to the right of Oilers' goaltender Kevin St. Pierre to tie the game.
The Thunder took their first lead of the night at 3:26 in the second when hack cleared up another rebound on the right side on a Thunder power play. Hack connected again at 10:57 to make it 3-1 Wichita. Matt Maccarone narrowed the gap to 3-2, scoring from the top of the right faceoff circle at 13:30 in the second.
Wichita took charge in the third, outshooting the Oilers 11 to 2. Mike Zbriger banged in a rebound to the left of St. Pierre at 2:01 to re-extend the Thunder lead. With Tulsa using an extra attacker, Hack raced after a puck in the closing seconds of the game and fed Belanger in the slot who finished the goal on the empty net.
Daigneau saved 20 of 22 in the win. The Thunder outshot the Oilers 36 to 22 for the game, and the two shots against in the third were the fewest allowed by the Thunder in one period this season. Stan Yanchishyn, Troy Ofukany, and Andrew Davis each picked up fighting majors. Ofukany's penalty moved him past the 100 PIM mark for the season. It was the third two-goal game for Hack, who also set a new career-high with a four-point game.
The Thunder now travels to Rapid City to take on the Rush this Friday and Saturday, with both games starting at 8:05 p.m. The Thunder returns home on Sunday to host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at 5:05 p.m. Wichita will be hosting its first annual Kid's Night, sponsored by the Midian Shriners. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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