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CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Has Another Winning Week

March 21, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


The Wichita Thunder won two of three games last week, beginning with a 6-4 road victory against the Quad City Mallards on Thursday night. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, Wichita battled back to take three separate leads, with Bobby Hughes' shorthanded goal late in the third proving the difference. Hughes and Troy Schwab each had two goals and two assists. Schwab finished the game +4. Marc-Antoine Gelinas saved 25 of 29 in the win. The Thunder was 9 for 9 on the penalty kill. Daniel Tetrault and Jesse Bennefield each had two points.

The Thunder lost 5-2 to the Missouri Mavericks in Independence on Friday night. Missouri scored twice within the first seven minutes of the game, and while Kory Scoran cut the lead in half with a power play goal later in the period, the Mavericks re-extended their lead for good in the second. Nick Sirota and Simon Watson both had two goals for Missouri. Matt Robinson accounted for the Thunder's other goal. Kevin Beech took the loss, saving 31 of 36.

Wichita came from behind to win 5-3 at Missouri on Saturday night. A.J. Gale scored twice in the second period to wipe out a 3-1 Mavericks lead. Troy Schwab supplied the game-winning goal with 2:33 left in regulation. Aaron Davis and Matt Robinson also scored for the Thunder. Kevin Beech picked up the win, saving 22 of 25. Gale finished with three points. Brent Cullaton had two assists in his return from team suspension. It was the Thunder's first regulation win at the Independence Events Center in 10 tries.

Thunder Climbing CHL Attendance Race

The Wichita Thunder ranks third in the CHL in attendance at 5,342 fans per game. Wichita needs to average 6,360 fans over their final two home games to finish in front of the Missouri Mavericks' current pace (5,403). The Thunder has ranked second in the league in attendance each of the last five years.

The Race for Home Ice

While the Turner Conference playoff field has been set for over a week, the final seedings are far from decided. Wichita currently sits in fifth place, four points back of Missouri and Bloomington for third and fourth place. Wichita has one game in hand on Missouri while Bloomington has one game in hand on the Thund

Special Teams Excel

The Thunder had a productive week on special teams. Wichita went 5 for 15 (33.3%) on the power play last week, with at least one goal on the man advantage in all three games. Wichita's penalty kill was equally effective, converting 20 of 22 (90.1%) opportunities.

Playoff-Bound Thunder

Earlier this month, the Thunder clinched their first playoff berth in four years. It is the 10th time in franchise history the Thunder is in the playoffs.

McClelland Joins Select Group

First-year Thunder Head Coach is in the Central Hockey League playoffs for a fifth consecutive season. McClelland has guided the Mississippi RiverKings and Colorado Eagles to the playoffs twice each, reaching the President's Cup Finals with Colorado in 2009. McClelland is now one of only four coaches in CHL history to lead three different teams to the playoffs. Bill McDonald, Chris Stewart, and Todd Lalonde are the others.

Offensive Thunder

The Thunder is third in the league in goals for per game at 3.76.

Thunder Ironmen

Four players have skated in all 62 of the Thunder's games this year. They are Chris Greene, Jesse Bennefield, Travis Wight, and Aaron Davis.

INTRUST Bank Arena Advantage

At 19-8-4 (.677), the Thunder has the best home record in the Turner Conference and second-best overall in the league. Wichita has played exceptionally well at the INTRUST Bank Arena when hosting Turner Conference opponents. The Thunder finishes the regular season 12-1-2 at home against the Turner, having lost in regulation just once.

'Turnering' it Around

A big reason for Wichita's success this season has been its record versus the top three returning teams in the conference. Wichita is a combined 13-6-2 (.667) against Colorado, Rapid City, and Missouri, with winning records against all three. The Thunder was 0-24-3 against those three clubs last year.

The Long March

The Thunder's final four games will be played in a span of six days. Wichita opened the month of March having to play 14 games in 27 days. The Thunder is currently 7-3-0 in March.

Martens CHL Finalist

Andrew Martens has been named a finalist for the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman award. Martens is tied for second in the league among blue liners with 52 points, and tied for third with 14 goals.

Bennefield Among League's Best

Right wing Jesse Bennefield is tied for 12th in the league with 73 points and tied for seventh with 34 goals. Bennefield has 93 goals and 203 points in 176 CHL games over the last three seasons.

Robinson Lighting the Lamp

Left wing Matt Robinson is second in the league with 39 goals. Robinson trails Texas' Chad Woollard (42) in the CHL's scoring race. Paul Jackson is the only Thunder player to ever lead the league in goals, scoring 71 in 1993-94.

Rookies Excelling

All three of Wichita's rookies have produced for the Thunder this season. Forward Dustin Donaghy is tied for sixth among rookies with 13 goals. Defenseman Steven Kaunisto ranks fourth with a +10 plus/minus rating. Goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas is third overall in the league with 26 victories, and tied for second with four shutouts.

Roster Notes

Wichita made several transactions over the weekend. Forward Lance Galbraith and defenseman Mike Looby were both placed on the 10-Day IR. Defenseman Jason Goulet was activated from the 10-Day IR. Left wing Brent Cullaton returned from team suspension. Marty Magers is on Goaltender IR.

Catch the Thunder All Season

All 66 Thunder games are broadcast on either 93.5 FM KWME or 1550 AM KKLE. You can also listen to each game on the internet at www.kleyam.com Emerson Biggin's West (located at 21st and Maize) is the Thunder's official watch party sponsor of all road games. Thunder food and drink specials will be offered throughout the season.

Up Next

The Thunder finally wraps up their busy March with a bevy of games this week. The Thunder faces Missouri for a third straight game on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday is the re-scheduled game that was snowed out on February 1st.

The Thunder returns home on Friday, March 25th when they host the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Team Photo Night, courtesy of Allegiant Air, Eaton Place, Newman University, Oce, and The Wichita Eagle. The first 5,000 fans through the door will receive a free 2011 Thunder team photo. During the game, fans can also bid on the Thunder's 2011 wheelchair sweaters. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Wheelchair Sports.

Wichita and Tulsa play at the BOK Center on Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. The Thunder and Oilers alumni squads will have a rematch from their exhibition at the INTRUST Bank Arena on February 19th.

The regular season concludes Sunday when the Thunder hosts the Mississippi RiverKings at 5:05 p.m. Sunday is 'Fan'demonium, presented by Wichita Technical Institute and Viega. Great gifts will be thrown into the stands throughout the night. There will also be an auction during the game for the Thunder's 2010-11 Meta Blade Record warm-up jerseys.

For tickets, call the arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com For information on Thunder playoff tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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