Streak Snapped in 4-1 Loss to Oilers
December 8, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS - Shane Madolora has had the Thunder's number so far this season and was at his best on Saturday night, stymieing Wichita (6-12-4) to preserve a 4-1 victory for the Tulsa Oilers (12-9-2) at INTRUST Bank Arena. Erick Lizon tallied his first goal since being assigned to the Thunder in the losing effort. Wichita's three-game winning streak comes to an end and the Oilers now lead the StoneWolf Casino Cup Series 3-1-1.
Wichita came out quickly and had several chances in the first period. Jason Wilson got behind the Oiler defense just inside the top of the circles, but fired a wrist shot wide of the net. A little bit later, Matt Robinson found some room up the left wing, but was stopped by Madolora. The Oilers struck first at 5:48 when a bad pass up the middle of the ice ended up in the back of the Thunder net off the stick of Kyle Bockek. However, Lizon got to a rebound 30 seconds later and tied the game at one with assists to Jason Wilson and Jared Walker. Wichita out-shot the Oilers 12-5 through 20 minutes with a majority of them being quality scoring chances.
In the second, Tulsa re-gained the lead and added another to add some insurance. Scott Macaulay ripped a shot from the right point that Ben Gordon tipped in past David Brown at 8:20 to make it 2-1. At 16:16, Macaulay took a pass up the middle of the ice, split two Thunder defenders and lit the lamp to increase the lead to 3-1 with assists to Ryan Menei and Bochek. Menei, who appeared in his first game against the Thunder this season, finished with three assists on the night. Madolora fed off the energy from his team and continued to keep the Thunder off the board on several chances. Robinson had one later in the period when a rebound found its way to him on the left side of the net, but the Tulsa netminder got over and kept it out.
Wichita pressed hard in the third period in an attempt to tie the game, but Madolora turned aside every chance the Thunder had. Tulsa was content to clear the puck out of the zone and got one more goal from Michel Beausoleil as he found an empty-net at 18:55.
Madolora improves to 4-1-0 on the season against Wichita, stopping 32 of 33 shots he faced. Against the Thunder, he has a goals-against average of 1.70 and a save percentage of .939 this season. Jon Booras had his point-streak snapped at six games. Brown took the loss, stopping 20 of 23 shots he faced.
Wichita and Tulsa both went 0-for-1 on the power play.
Wichita begins a five-game road swing, starting next week with a pair of contests against the St. Charles Chill on Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th at 7:05 p.m. The following week, the Thunder head to Arizona to face the Sundogs for the first time this season for a two-game set. The road swing ends with a rematch against the Oilers on Friday, December 27th at 7:35 p.m.
Individual game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets and mini plans are still available. Don't delay, contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625. Stay up-to-date on all the news this off-season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2013
- Oilers Complete Weekend Sweep with 4-3 Win over Arizona - Tulsa Oilers
- Sundogs Drop Fifth Straight - Arizona Sundogs
- Late Nagy Shorthanded Goal Gives Mallards Come from Behind Win - Quad City Mallards
- Streak Snapped in 4-1 Loss to Oilers - Wichita Thunder
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