Thunder blank Eagles 5-0
Published on March 1, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
WICHITA, KS- Jason Duda had a hat-trick as the Wichita Thunder defeated the Colorado Eagles 5-0 Wednesday night at the Kansas Coliseum. Thunder goaltender Sebastien Laplante stopped all 39 of the Eagles' shots handing Colorado only their second shutout of the season. Wichita finished 1-9 on the power play and scored a shorthanded goal while the Eagles could not convert any of their four power play opportunities. Travis Clayton and Joe Blaznek each had a pair of assists in Wichita's 29th victory of the season further extending their lead over Tulsa for the final playoff spot in the Northern Conference. The Eagles record falls to 37-11-5 but they have the best record in the Central Hockey League with 79 points.
The Thunder pressured Colorado's zone right off the opening face off and it paid off as defenseman Daniel Tetrault scored before the Eagles could clear the puck from their own zone. Before the end of the period, Jason Duda scored a pair of special teams goals. At the 13:55 mark of the period, he scored a power play goal on assists from Daniel Tetrault and Joe Blaznek and less than three minutes later, Duda scored a shorthanded goal giving the Thunder a 3-0 lead. After one period of play, the Eagles were out shooting Wichita 11-10 but found themselves in their largest first period deficit of the season at 3-0.
Neither team was able to score in the second period although Colorado was whistled for four penalties. Again the Eagles out shot Wichita but couldn't solve Laplante.
Jason Duda capped his hat-trick only 31 seconds into the final period on assists from Blaznek and Travis Clayton. Just two minutes later, the final Thunder goal was scored by Ryan McLean capping the 5-0 victory. It tied the Eagles' record for the largest margin of defeat at five goals, they had lost two games earlier this season by five goals including an 8-3 loss to Wichita in October.
The Eagles will now travel to Lubbock for a game against the Cotton Kings on Friday night at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum, and they will head to Odessa for a game on Saturday night. Tune into the "Voice of the Eagles" Tori Holt on 99.9 The Point to catch all the action.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2006
- Steelheads oust Roadrunners, 4-2 - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Thunder blank Eagles 5-0 - Colorado Eagles
- Hounds drop 5-4 decision to Austin - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Bucks Beat Bees 5-2 - Laredo Bucks
- Ice Bats Begin Seven-Game "Roadie" - Austin Ice Bats
- Jackalopes "March" Toward a Division Title - Odessa Jackalopes
- Kings corral Brahmas 6-1 - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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