Rookies Lead Thunder to Victory
Published on January 22, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
TULSA, OK- The Wichita Thunder ended their 22-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Tulsa Oilers at the BOK Center on Friday night. Rookie right wing Shane Foster scored his first professional goal as well as a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, while Scott Campbell earned the Thunder's first win since November 20th, saving 38 of 39.
The teams engaged in a scoreless deadlock for nearly the entire first period, but Tulsa stole an early lead with 24 seconds left. Aaron Davis made a circle-to-circle pass that Dan Riedel slipped through the backdoor to the left of Scott Campbell on the Oilers' 18th shot of the period. Campbell had already made two terrific saves earlier to keep the game scoreless, stopping a shorthanded breakaway by Troy Riddle and later diffusing a three-on-one led by Rick Kozak.
Several new acquisitions helped the Thunder gain a 2-1 lead in the second period. At 7:54, Shane Foster tapped a pass across the edge of the crease allowing Paul Kelly to score past the right of Oilers' goaltender Trevor Cann to tie the game. A power play goal from Ryan Campbell at 11:46 gave the Thunder their first lead of the night. Campbell grabbed a rebound from Joel Hanson just underneath the left hashmark and buried it in the left corner of the net with Cann still recovering from Hanson's initial shot. Scott Campbell made his third miraculous save of the night midway through the second. While falling backward, the rookie goaltender used his left arm to swat down a rebound from TJ Caig on an exposed net.
Foster gave the Thunder some breathing room, backhanding a rebound past Cann at 10:43 in the third for his first professional goal. With a two-goal lead, Kevin Cooper raced into the Oilers' zone one-on-one and hit an empty net with 60 seconds left in the game. With a large crowd on hand, the teams engaged in four fights in the span of 11 game seconds. Chris McAllister, JR Bria, Shane Foster, and Steve Makway all picked up fighting majors. Campbell faced 14 more shots in the third, stopping all of them, to pick up his third win this season.
Wichita was a perfect 7 for 7 on the penalty kill while going 1 for 5 on the power play. Cann saved 22 of 25 in the loss.
The Thunder heads home tomorrow night in a rematch against the Oilers. The two teams open the brand new INTRUST Bank Arena at 7:05 p.m. The Thunder office will be open from 10:00-4:00 on Saturday. For tickets, call (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2010
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- Sundogs Drop Fifth of Season Against Odessa, 3-1 - Arizona Sundogs
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- Mavericks Downed by RiverKings, 4-2 - Kansas City Mavericks
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- Rookies Lead Thunder to Victory - Wichita Thunder
- Smith's overtime goal lifts Amarillo - Amarillo Gorillas
- Eagles To Donate Ticket Proceeds To Haitian Relief - Colorado Eagles
- Oilers Trade For Mark Kolanos - Tulsa Oilers
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