Thunder Enjoys Perfect Week
Published on January 30, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER OFFENSE HOLDS OFF GORILLAS- The Thunder answered four third period goals with four of their own, exploding for a 7-5 victory on Friday night in Amarillo. Tab Lardner led the way with a hat trick and an assist, while Joe Blaznek, Jason Duda, Travis Clayton, Daniel Tetrault and Ryan McLean all had multiple-point nights. Sebastien Laplante picked up the victory, making 35 saves.
THUNDER BEATS "ËKINGS IN OVERTIME OF WILD GAME- Kris Wiebe's goal just 54 seconds into overtime gave the Thunder a 6-5 win over Memphis on Saturday, capping a wild game at the Kansas Coliseum. The Thunder jumped out to a 4-1 lead on the strength of four power plays, only to see Memphis tie the game with three power play goals of their own. Jason Duda's penalty shot goal put Wichita up 5-4, but Memphis again tied the game just 17 seconds later, setting up for Wiebe's heroics. Sebastien Laplante picked up the win in relief, stopping all nine shots faced in 21 minutes of action. Joe Blaznek, Ryan McLean and Josh Barker led the Thunder with a goal and two assists each. Tab Lardner also scored, giving him four goals for the weekend. A raucous crowd of 8,259 people witnessed the victory, including a season-high, game night walk-up crowd of over 1800 fans.
BIG THIRD PERIOD TAMES STEELHOUNDS- Trailing 2-0 late in the second period, the Thunder exploded for three straight goals, taking a 3-2 win over Youngstown on Sunday at the Coliseum. Jason Duda got the Thunder on the board with a power play goal in the final minute of the second, before Joe Blaznek and Darren McMillan completed the comeback. Blaznek's goal was the 200th of his pro career. Laplante recorded the victory, making 21 saves. The Thunder finished the season 4-1-0 versus the expansion SteelHounds and are now an amazing 11-2-1 versus Northeast Division teams.
SMOOTH ROAD- With Friday's win at Amarillo, the Thunder finished their franchise-long, 21-day, seven-game road trip with an impressive record of 4-3-0, more road wins then they picked up in their first 13 road games from October thru December (3). Wichita's road trip covered 4,731 miles and included games in Oklahoma, Ohio, and Texas.
HOME SWEET HOME- With two more home wins this weekend, the Thunder moved their home record to a CHL-best 16-1-3. Veteran Joe Blaznek has been a force at the Kansas Coliseum, notching 18 goals and 37 points in those 20 games, while goaltender Sebastien Laplante has gone an amazing 13-1-2, with a 2.26 goals against average. The Thunder, who will play three of their next four games at home, are averaging 5,228 fans per game, fifth-best in the CHL and the third highest attendance in their 14-year history. This Saturday's game versus Colorado is the first meeting between the Northern Conference's top two teams, since all the way back on November 16th and the first of three straight meetings.
SEA "WORK" HORSE- Comparing this season to last, goaltender Sebastien Laplante has been phenomenal. In 33 games with the ECHL's Pee Dee pride last year, Laplante allowed 88 goals and made 731 saves, amassing 14 wins, but just a .893 save percentage. Through 33 games this season, Laplante has won 17 games, allowing just two more goals, but has made 197 more saves for a .912 save percentage.
THUNDERBOLTS- Wichita leads the CHL with a power play percentage of 19.3% and 66 power play goals, but has allowed a CHL-most 58...Joe Blaznek leads the CHL with 17 power play goals and ranks second in the CHL with 31 goals and 61 points...Jason Duda ranks third in the CHL with 60 points and is second with 43 assists...Daniel Tetrault ranks third among CHL defensemen with 42 points...Kris Wiebe is fifth among CHL rookies with 12 goals...Rookie Chris Bain ranks fifth in the CHL with 18 majors...Wichita leads the CHL, averaging 32.2 penalty minutes per game...The Thunder are averaging a CHL-high 3.78 goals per game...The Thunder are 16-0-4 when leading after two periods...Travis Clayton is riding a CHL-high six-game assist streak...Jason Duda is riding a three-game goal scoring streak...Several Thunder players had big weekends, including Joe Blaznek (7 points), Ryan McLean and Jason Duda (6 points each) and Tab Lardner and Travis Clayton (5 points each).
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS- Friday is Ladies Night at the Coliseum from 6-8 PM, featuring a locker room tour, Hockey 101 with Coach Mark French, Q and A with several Thunder players and an equipment demonstration. The cost is $25 per lady ($20 for season ticketholders). Availability is capped at 150 ladies and only a handful of openings remain. Call the Thunder office to make your reservations. All ladies who attend will also receive a special prize package. This Saturday is Nascar Night sponsored by the Kansas Army National Guard and Cybersales of Kansas. The Thunder will wear and auction off special Nascar jerseys and all fans who wear Nascar apparel when visiting the Thunder office to buy their tickets will receive $4 off.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, January 27- Wichita 7 at Amarillo 5 Win
Saturday, January 28- Memphis 5 at Wichita 6 Win (OT)
Sunday, January 29- Youngstown 2 at Wichita 3 Win
THIS WEEK'S GAME:
Saturday, February 4- Colorado at Wichita 7:05 PM
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday-Saturday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM
Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2006
- Cotton Kings Weekly Notes - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Oakley CHL Player & Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Bucks Will Wear President's Day Jerseys This Saturday - Laredo Bucks
- Dahl Is Player of the Week - Tulsa Oilers
- Flying Saucer will host postgame party this Saturday night - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Thunder Enjoys Perfect Week - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Weekly Update - Tulsa Oilers
- Amarillo Forces Oil Spill - Amarillo Gorillas
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