Thunder Hangs With Northern Foes During Long Road Trip
Published on March 8, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
The Wichita Thunder went 0-4-0 last week, dropping each game by only two goals. The Thunder lost 6-4 to the Rapid City Rush on Tuesday night. Wichita battled back from deficits of 4-0 and 5-1 to pull within one goal, but an empty netter by the Rush sealed the game. Tomas Klempa, Joel Hanson, and Chris McAllister all had three points in the game. Ian Keserich made 33 saves on 35 shots in a relief appearance.
The Rush topped the Thunder with an identical 6-4 decision on Wednesday night. Wichita led 1-0 and 2-1, but Rapid City rallied for five goals over the final two periods for the win. Reese and Klempa each had two points, while McAllister added his fourth point in his last two games. Keserich saved 44 of 50 in the loss.
The Thunder lost a close 4-2 battle to the Colorado Eagles on Saturday. Tomas Klempa and Joel Hanson wiped out a 2-0 deficit, but Riley Nelson scored late in the third to put the Eagles in front for good. Campbell saved 41 of the 44 shots he faced in the loss. Reese and Klempa each had multi-point nights. Nelson had two goals for the Eagles.
The Eagles topped the Thunder the following night 5-3. Wichita twice held leads in the second period, but entered the third trailing 3-2. Hanson, Klempa, and Reese each collected another point. Campbell made 40-plus saves for a second straight night, stopping 44 of 49. Ed McGrane scored a hat trick for Colorado, while Kevin Ulanski had two goals.
Young Linemates on Fire
Second-year forward Joel Hanson, and rookies Tomas Klempa and Jason Reese powered the Thunder offense last week, scoring nine of the team's 13 goals. Hanson is riding a five-game point streak with a total of nine points. Hanson is also +7 in his last six games. Klempa is on a six-game point streak, which also included a four-game goal scoring streak. Klempa has 12 points during the streak in which he is +7. Reese is on a three-game point streak with five total points while finishing +4.
McAllister Chipping in on Offense
Though he has been scratched the last two games, Chris McAllister is on a four-game point streak with six assists during the stretch. McAllister had a season-high three points on Tuesday at Rapid City.
Thunder Signs Ferrara
Wichita signed defenseman Nello Ferrara prior to Sunday's game at Colorado. Ferrara is in his seventh professional season, and spent time with Dayton and South Carolina of the ECHL earlier in the year.
Shorthanded 'D'
The Thunder defensive corps has battled several injuries recently. Chris McAllister, Mark Adamek, JR Bria, Brett Beauchamp, Steve Makway, and most recently AJ Bozoian have all missed time in the last month. Forwards Brad Thompson and Kevin Cooper were full-time defensemen during last week's road trip. Wichita has not had six natural defensemen in their lineup since February 12th, a span of 15 games.
Shots Allowed
The Thunder has allowed 40 or more shots in seven of its last eight games. In three of their four games last week, Wichita allowed 48, 50, and 49 shots respectively. All three totals were higher than any single-game prior to the road trip.
Thunder Iron Men
Joel Hanson is the Thunder's only player to have appeared in all 58 games this season. With the exception of 1998-99, the Thunder has had at least one player appear in every regular season game in each year of its history. Brent Ottmann ranks second with 57.
Makway Out for Season
Early last week, the CHL finalized its suspension of Steve Makway, charging him with 12 games for an altercation in Mississippi on February 27th. The suspension effectively prevents Makway from playing again this year.
Injury Report
Brett Beauchamp returned to the lineup two Sundays ago after missing three games due to a concussion, but has been scratched each of the last four and is now on the 14-Day IR retroactive to March 1st. Bobby Hughes was a scratch due to injury on Sunday at Colorado. Chris McAllister was scratched in both games in Colorado due to a hamstring injury. Mark Adamek (shoulder) and AJ Bozoian (knee) remain on the 14-Day IR. JR Bria was moved to the Season Ending IR with a groin injury. The Thunder has dressed just 13 skaters in each of their last two games.
Thunder Moves Front Office
The Thunder has moved their business office from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium across the street to the Wichita Ice Center. The new business address is 505 W. Maple Wichita, KS 67213, and is in full operation.
Up Next
The Thunder has another stretch of four games in five nights this week. Colorado visits the INTRUST Bank Arena on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Wichita travels to Amarillo on Friday and then hosts the Gorillas the following night at 7:05 p.m. The Thunder's final home game of the season is on Sunday versus Missouri with a 5:05 p.m. start. For tickets to any of Wichita's three remaining home games, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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- Thunder Hangs With Northern Foes During Long Road Trip - Wichita Thunder
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