Thunder drops pair of shootouts
February 5, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
MEMPHIS COMES BACK ON THUNDER- The Thunder jumped out to leads of 2-0 and 3-2, but couldn't hang on, falling 4-3 at Memphis on Thursday night. Joe Blaznek and Kris Wiebe led the Thunder with a goal and an assist each, while Tim Earl also chipped in a goal. Wichita missed out again on a chance to extend their winning streak to a season-best three games.
RAGE STUNS THUNDER- Rage goaltender Trevor Cunning stopped 39 of 40 shots and four out of five in the shootout, leading Rocky Mountain to a 2-1 win on Friday night at the Kansas Coliseum. It was just Rocky Mountain's third road win of the season, but their CHL-best fifth shootout victory of the season. Jeremy Koning scored the lone goal for the Thunder.
THUNDER FALLS TO EAGLES IN SHOOTOUT- The Thunder again jumped out to leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2, but couldn't hang on, falling to Colorado 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday at the Coliseum. Jason Duda and Travis Clayton combined for three goals and six points, but both missed shootout attempts, as the Thunder were shutout 1-0 in the shootout overall. Goaltender Sebastien Laplante was the tough luck loser, despite making 45 saves and stopping three of four shootout attempts.
FIRE UP THE BUS- The Thunder will play 16 games in 28 days, the busiest February schedule in team history. Starting Tuesday, the Thunder will play five games in six days, beginning a stretch where the Thunder will play seven of their next eight games on the road. The busy February is due to the rescheduling of three games that were postponed earlier this season due to inclement weather. Tuesday's game at Tulsa is a makeup of the December 22nd game, while Sunday's game at Tulsa is a makeup from the January 13th game. Wichita will make up the canceled home game from December 30th versus Amarillo on Tuesday, February 20th.
SHOOTOUT WOES- Wichita has found the going tough in shootouts this season, dropping to a CHL worst 2-5 in the extra frame. Wichita is 13th in the CHL for shootout goals (7-32) and 16th in the CHL for shootout save percentage, allowing 12 goals on 30 shots. Still the Thunder is a long way away from being the worst in franchise history, as both the 1996-97 and 1998-99 teams lost 10 shootouts each.
ROSTER UPDATE- Forward Ryan Lauzon has missed the last five games due to injury, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday. The Thunder has played with a full 18-man lineup just seven times this season.
MILESTONES- With 298, veteran Travis Clayton needs two goals to become the third player in CHL history to reach 300. With 291, veteran Jason Duda passed Don Parsons for fifth on the CHL goal-scoring list. With 124, Joe Blaznek needs two assists to pass Cam Plante for sixth place in Thunder history. Ryan McLean needs 14 penalty minutes to pass Jeff Leiter for the all-time Thunder lead.
FIND A CURE NIGHT- The Thunder will hold the first ever "Find a Cure Night" on Tuesday, February 20th vs. Amarillo. For this game all seats in the upper level (center ice excluded) will be blocked off. Fans will be able to purchase an upper level seat for $7 and decorate it in memory of a loved one who is suffering from or has passed away due to a disease. A portion of all ticket sales will be dedicated to numerous local charities.
THUNDERBOLTS- Sebastien Laplante ranks third among CHL goaltenders with a .928 save percentage...Wichita ranks second in the CHL, averaging 6,265 fans per game...Joe Blaznek is tied for the CHL-lead with six game-winning goals...Daniel Tetrault ranks third among CHL defensemen with six power play goals...The Thunder ranks third in the CHL in penalty killing at 86.1% and has allowed just 38 power play goals...Wichita is allowing a CHL most 38.1 shots per game and is averaging a CHL-low 29.6 shots per game.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
Thursday, February 1- Wichita 3 at Memphis 4 Loss
Friday, February 2- Rocky Mountain 2 at Wichita 1 Loss (SO)
Saturday, Febtuary 3- Colorado 4 at Wichita 3 Loss (SO)
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Tuesday, February 6- Wichita at Tulsa 7:05 PM
Wednesday, February 7- Oklahoma City at Wichita 7:05 PM 1410 AM
Friday, February 9- Wichita at Oklahoma City 7:35 PM
Saturday, February 10- Wichita at Tulsa 7:35 PM
Sunday, February 11- Wichita at Tulsa 5:05 PM 1410 AM
METAL BLADE RECORDS PLAYER OF THE WEEK-
Defenseman Troy Barnes 3 GP, 3 assists, +1
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