Thunder keeps on rolling
February 16, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER BEAT MEMPHIS AGAIN- Travis Clayton scored on a penalty shot early in the third period, breaking a 1-1 tie and sparking the Thunder to a 3-2 win on Friday Night at the Coliseum. Joe Blaznek scored the eventual game-winning goal, while goaltender Nathan Grobins recorded the victory, making 28 saves. Defenseman Les Hrapchak also scored for the Thunder, who finished the season 3-1-0 vs. Memphis.
THUNDER COME BACK, THEN DEFEAT BLAZERS IN OVERTIME- Adam Calder's second goal of the game, in overtime, sent the crowd of 5,626 into a frenzy and gave the Thunder a 3-2 win over Oklahoma City on Saturday Night. The Thunder entered the third period trailing 2-1, before Joe Blaznek tied things up with his second third period goal in as many nights. The win was Wichita's fourth this season when trailing after two periods. Only Memphis and Bossier-Shreveport, with five each, have more comeback wins than the Thunder this season. Wichita also won for the first time ever on Valentine's Day (1-4-0), while sending the Blazers to their first Valentine's Day defeat (4-1-0). The Thunder have beaten the Blazers three straight times for the first time since December 10, 1998 - January 12, 1999, when Wichita won four in a row.
THUNDER CONTROL THEIR DESTINY- With exactly four weeks to go in the season, the Thunder (58 points) are locked in a fierce battle with Memphis and Indianapolis for the final two playoff spots in the Northern Conference. Wichita currently trails Memphis (61) by three points, however, the RiverKings have played three more games than the Thunder. Meanwhile, Indianapolis (60) has only two home games left, and begins a 10-game road trip this weekend. New Mexico is still in the race with 54 points, as is Oklahoma City with 52 points.
GROBINS STAYS HOT- Thunder All-Star goaltender Nathan Grobins picked up two more victories this weekend, extending his winning-streak to six straight games. With 25, Grobins trails Colorado's Ryan Bach by two for the most victories in the CHL. Grobins also ranks second in the CHL in minutes played (2413) and third overall in both saves (1124) and shutouts (3).
THUNDERBOLTS- Defenseman Darryl Green, out since January 10th, will miss two more games and return to the lineup on Tuesday, February 24th at New Mexico...That game was rescheduled from Saturday, February 28th due to a building conflict in Albuquerque, NM...The Thunder also changed their start time for Wednesday, March 10th versus Colorado to 7:00 PM...Adam Calder ranks third in the CHL with 32 goals and second with 13 power play goals...Rookie Ryan Olynyk is second in the CHL with 27 major penalties...The Thunder are 11-0-1 when leading after one period and 20-2-2 when scoring the first goal of the game...The Thunder are allowing just 28.71 shots per game, second best in the CHL...Wichita has won five straight home games, but will play five of the next six games on the road.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, February 13- Memphis 2 at Wichita 3 Win
Saturday, February 14- Oklahoma City 2 at Wichita 3 Win (OT)
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Friday, February 20- Wichita at Tulsa 7:35 PM AM 1070
Saturday, February 21- Wichita at Oklahoma City 7:35 PM AM 1070
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday-Friday Ice Sports Wichita 10:00 AM
THIS WEEK'S PROMOTIONS:
Monday- Thunder tutoring sessions, Chisholm Trail Elementary 1:00-2:00 PM
Thunder Kid's Club Dinner, Hometown Buffet West 5:00-7:00 PM
Thursday- Thunder Night at Wichita Greyhound Park 6:30-9:30 PM
Saturday- Bus Trip to Thunder Game at Oklahoma City (Sold Out) 4:00 PM
Sunday- Bus Trip to Harrah's Casino, Topeka, KS 7:00 AM
Central Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2004
- Mudbugs Week in Review - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Ken Carroll Named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Gravelle Wins Bauer/Nike CHL Player of the Week - Tulsa Oilers
- Bugs swamp Brahmas, 3-1 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- CHL names players of the week - CHL
- Road warriors - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Vinzetta to face Collier - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Bucks & Law Out & About - Laredo Bucks
- Thunder keeps on rolling - Wichita Thunder
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
- Oilers Weekly - Tulsa Oilers
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