CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Drops Home Opener

October 16, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder lost 4-1 to the Tulsa Oilers at the INTRUST Bank Arena on Saturday night.

Tulsa scored three unanswered goals in the third to break a 1-1 tie and sweep the season-opening, home-and-home series from the Thunder. Gordon Bell scored on a long shot from just in front of the right point at 3:49 that deflected off Ian Keserich's chest and into the net to give Tulsa a 2-1 lead. Following a rush of Thunder offensive pressure, in which Trevor Cann made several key stops, Jack Combs scored on a breakaway at 7:49 to make it 3-1. Gary Steffes re-directed Jason Weeks' power play shot for a goal at 16:36 to put the game away.

Cann saved 35 of 36 for the win, while Keserich stopped 23 of 27 in the loss. The Thunder outshot Tulsa for a second straight game 36 to 27, and outshot them in all three periods.

Tulsa scored the first goal of the night at 2:16 in the first period when Steffes tossed a shot from the left hash mark past a screened Ian Keserich. With just over 52 seconds left in the period, Aaron Davis tipped a bouncing puck past Oilers' goaltender Trevor Cann to tie the game. Travis Wight's shot following a faceoff set up the rebound for Davis, who was positioned at the top of the crease.

Keserich saved all 11 shots to face him in the second period where neither team scored. Wichita was 0 for 2 on the power play. Tulsa was 1 for 5.

Prior to the game, the Thunder retired Jason Duda's number '11'. Duda is only the fourth player in the Thunder's 19-year history to receive the honor.

The Thunder heads to Missouri on Friday to face the Mavericks. All the action can be heard locally on Sports Radio 1550 KKLE and worldwide at www.kleyam.com Wichita hosts the Allen Americans on Saturday, October 23rd at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com.




Central Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2010


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