CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Closes January With Close Losses

Published on February 1, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


Wichita lost 2-1 to the Mississippi RiverKings on Friday night at home. After the teams traded power play goals early in the first, the RiverKings scored the decisive goal on a lucky bounce in the second. Nate Schwartzbauer's shot was blocked by Jason Reese and then deflected off the back of Ian Keserich and into the net. Keserich saved 26 of 28 in the loss. Ryan Campbell had Wichita's lone goal.

The Thunder lost 4-1 to the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night. Wichita battled the first place Rush to a 1-1 tie into the third, but the Rapid City scored three times in the final frame to pull out the win. Keserich took the loss, saving 26 of 29. Brent Ottmann scored the Thunder goal, redirecting a shot from Steve Makway on the power play in the second. Four different Rush players scored a goal.

Keserich Best in the CHL

Goaltender Ian Keserich has played in tough luck this season, posting an 0-9-0 record with Wichita. However, the third-year pro officially leads the league with a.926 save percentage and ranks fourth with a 2.57 goals against average. Keserich has allowed three or fewer goals in all nine of his starts in a Wichita sweater.

Can't Score on the Thunder

Excluding empty netters, the Thunder has allowed the fewest goals (24) in the CHL over their last 10 games. However, Wichita's 12 goals scored are also the fewest in the league during that same stretch. Rio Grande Valley and Tulsa are tied for the second fewest in their last 10 games with 27.

Penalty Kill In Control

Aiding the Thunder's recent defensive surge has been their penalty kill unit. During their last nine games, the Thunder is 48 for its last 52 (92.3) when the opposition is on the power play and has not allowed more than one power play goal in a game since December 31st.

Klempa Signed

The Thunder signed left wing Tomas Klempa on Saturday to replace the injured Ryan Campbell. This season, Klempa played in the IHL with Fort Wayne and in the ECHL with Johnstown, totaling eight points in 30 games. The Prestany, Slovakia native played four seasons of college hockey in the CCHA with the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Klempa scored 98 points in 150 career games with the Mavericks.

New Faces

Wichita has made a number of roster moves recently. 11 of the Thunder's current players were acquired within the last five weeks, beginning with the late-December trade that brought in Kevin Cooper, Steve Makway, and Ian Keserich.

Injury Notes

Chris McAllister has been scratched the last two games with an injury and is hoping to return this weekend at Bossier-Shreveport and Mississippi. Ryan Campbell suffered an upper body injury on Friday and will be re-evaluated this week.

Up Next

The Thunder plays three road games this week, beginning with a match at Tulsa on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. The Thunder heads to Bossier-Shreveport on Friday and finishes their weekend at Mississippi on Saturday night. Wichita's next home game is on Wednesday, February 10th versus the Colorado Eagles and is the first of three straight at the INTRUST Bank Arena. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2010


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