Thunder inches closer to playoff spot
Published on March 6, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER POUNDS EAGLES- The Thunder jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and never looked back, rolling to a 5-0 shutout win over Colorado on Wednesday at the Kansas Coliseum. Veteran Jason Duda led the Thunder with his ninth career hat trick, while goaltender Sebastien Laplante turned away all 39 Eagles shots. Daniel Tetrault and Ryan McLean also scored for the Thunder, who beat Colorado by five goals for the second time this year.
BRAHMAS EDGE THUNDER- Trailing 2-0 with less than five minutes remaining, the Brahmas struck for two power play goals, then won the game in a shootout on Friday in Fort Worth. Tab Lardner and Travis Clayton scored Wichita's goals.
THUNDER SLIP PAST OILERS- Kris Wiebe tied the game early in the third period, setting up Jason Duda's overtime game-winner, as the Thunder defeated the Oilers, 3-2, in Tulsa on Saturday. Travis Clayton, who assisted on Duda's game-winner, also chipped in a goal. Sebastien Laplante recorded his fourth straight victory, making 40 saves, as the Thunder knocked off Tulsa for the third time in the last nine days.
THUNDER PULL AWAY FROM TULSA, EYE BLAZERS- With just three weeks to go in the regular season, the Thunder have built an eight-point lead over Tulsa for the final playoff spot in the Northern Conference, and now trail third-seeded Oklahoma City by just two points. The Thunder can control their own destiny with 10 games remaining, as Oklahoma City has just seven games left and Tulsa only nine. Wichita's magic number to clinch a playoff spot for the third straight season is 10 points (a combination of Wichita wins and Tulsa losses).
700 CLUB DOUBLES- Veterans Travis Clayton and Jason Duda both picked up their 700th CHL point last week, joining Joe Burton and Doug Lawrence as the only members of the CHL's 700-point club. Clayton recorded his record point on a Duda goal on Wednesday, while Duda got his in dramatic fashion, converting a Clayton pass for the overtime game-winner in Tulsa on Saturday. Both players rank in the top eight in CHL history for goals, assists, points and games played.
HOT ROOKIE- Forward Kris Wiebe has given the Thunder another potent offensive weapon, notching a point in his last six games. Wiebe has recorded five goals and five assists in that span, helping the Thunder to a record of 5-0-1. Despite missing 12 games due to injury, Wiebe ranks fifth among CHL rookies with 18 goals and is 10th overall with 33 points.
THUNDERBOLTS- Joe Blaznek is second in the CHL with 38 goals and ranks third overall with 84 points...Blaznek is riding a CHL-high seven-game assist streak...Daniel Tetrault ranks third among CHL defensemen with 50 points...Sebastien Laplante is third in the CHL with 22 wins, two shy of the league-lead...Laplante's .916 save percentage is currently a Thunder single-season best...Nathan Grobins has the previous record, at .914...The Thunder have scored a CHL-high 81 power play goals...Wichita ranks second in the CHL with 14 shorthanded goals...Wednesday's game at Colorado will be televised on the Altitude Network...The game will be broadcast at Buffalo Wild Wings West, located at 21st and Maize Road.
SATURDAY, MARCH 18th IS PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT VERSUS THE BLAZERS "" CHECK THE THUNDER WEBSITE FOR DETAILS!
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Wednesday, March 1- Colorado 0 at Wichita 5 Win
Friday, March 3- Wichita 2 at Fort Worth 3 Loss (SO)
Saturday, March 4- Wichita 3 at Tulsa 2 Win (OT)
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Wednesday, March 8- Wichita at Colorado 8:05 PM Altitude TV - 98.7 FM/1240 AM
Friday, March 10- Amarillo at Wichita 7:05 PM
Saturday, March 11- Austin at Wichita 7:05 PM
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Friday-Saturday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM
Tuesday Wichita Ice Center 8:00 AM
Central Hockey League Stories from March 6, 2006
- Killer Bees notes - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Banga named player of the week - Mississippi RiverKings
- Ice Bats Hit Bell County - Austin Ice Bats
- CHL Announces Oakley CHL Player and Goaltender of the Week - CHL
- Rayz welcome two "Kings" this Sunday - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Thunder inches closer to playoff spot - Wichita Thunder
- SteelHounds Weekly Report - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Southern Playoff Hopefuls Visit - Tulsa Oilers
- Wray Leads Way Over Odessa - Amarillo Gorillas
- Three in third lead Bats past Brahmas, 4-2 - Fort Worth Brahmas
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