Thunder close in on first place
Published on February 7, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER POUND OILERS- The Thunder jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and rolled to a 5-1 home win over Tulsa at the Kansas Coliseum on Friday. Jason Duda led the Thunder with four points, while Joe Blaznek chipped in a pair of goals. Nate Metcalf and Tyler Liebel also scored, making a winner out of goaltender Jason Flick. The two teams combined for 80 penalty minutes, 64 in the third period.
THUNDER STUN EAGLES AGAIN- Trailing 2-0 in the third period, Colorado scored three unanswered goals, before the Thunder came back themselves for a 4-3 overtime win on Saturday, in front of a raucous Kansas Coliseum crowd of over 4,700 people. Paul Esdale scored the tying goal with just 57 seconds remaining and Chad Mazurak scored the overtime game-winner, as Jason Flick recorded his fifth straight victory. Joe Blaznek led the Thunder with two goals and two assists. The win pulled the Thunder within two points of the first place Eagles. Should the two teams finish in a first place tie, the Thunder would win the tie-breaker, having won four of the seven head-to-head meetings this season. Including playoffs, the Thunder are now 10-8-1 against Colorado all-time, by far the best record of any CHL team versus the Eagles.
DUDA, CLAYTON CONTINUE TO LEAD CHL- Jason Duda picked up five points over the weekend, extending his scoring streak to 18 straight games. Travis Clayton holds the longest scoring streak in the CHL this season at 20 games. Duda leads the CHL with 54 assists, 77 points and a plus/minus rating of +32. Clayton ranks second in the CHL with 70 points and 11 power play goals. He also ranks third in the CHL with 43 assists. Their linemate, Joe Blaznek, piled in six points this weekend and now ranks 11th in the CHL with 53 points. He also has 11 power play goals and is seventh in the CHL with 26 goals.
ESDALE INCHES CLOSER TO ANOTHER RECORD- With his big goal on Saturday, Paul Esdale is now four goals shy of tying the Thunder single-season record for most goals by a defenseman, held by Dave Doucette in 1995. With 16 goals, Esdale leads all pro hockey defensemen (95 teams). Jarad Bourassa of the Oklahoma City Blazers is the next closest, with 12. Esdale also ranks second in the CHL with 11 power play goals, already a Thunder single season record for a defenseman.
THUNDERBOLTS- Rookie Derek Parker leads the CHL with 30 major penalties and 300 penalty minutes...Parker has picked up a penalty in 15 straight games, the longest streak in the CHL this season...The Thunder lead the CHL on the power play, at 21.8%...The Thunder leads the CHL with 58 first period goals and 155 total goals...Wichita ranks second in the CHL for fewest goals allowed, at just 2.56 per game...Blake Forsyth will be the guest on the Thunder TV Coach's Show, taped every Monday at 5:00 PM at Heroes in Old Town...The show will air on Saturday at Noon on Cox Cable Channel 22, sponsored by Park City...This Saturday's game versus Topeka will air next Saturday at Noon on Cox Cable Channel 22...This Friday is Fox 104.5 Singles Night and tickets for all singles are just $5 each...Their will also be a postgame Christian Concert on Friday with the group "Olivia"...Saturday is the second annual Mass Wedding with T-95's Phil and Hank.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, February 4- Tulsa 1 at Wichita 5 Win
Saturday, February 5- Colorado 3 at Wichita 4 Win (OT)
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Friday, February 11- Austin at Wichita 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 12- Topeka at Wichita 7:30 PM
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday-Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM
Central Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2005
- CHL's Austin Ice Bats To Get New Home in 06-07 - CHL
- Oakley CHL Player & Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Scorpions head out on the road with win in tow - New Mexico Scorpions
- Bucks Offer Four Tickets For Forty Dollars Tuesday - Laredo Bucks
- Ice Bats To Have New Home in 2006, As Cedar Park Voters Approve Arena Project - Austin Ice Bats
- Saints acquire center in trade with Topeka - San Angelo Saints
- Tarantulas trade Dubois - Topeka Tarantulas
- Thunder close in on first place - Wichita Thunder
- Bucks Out & About - Laredo Bucks
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