CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Looks To Start Winning Streak

December 3, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


RIVERKINGS, MUDBUGS SHUT DOWN THUNDER- The Thunder dropped a pair of road games on Tuesday at Mississippi and Thursday at Bossier-Shreveport. Kyle Bruce scored Wichita's lone goal. The Thunder fell to 0-6-0 on the road this season.

THUNDER SHOCKS BLAZERS- Trailing 1-0, the Thunder erupted for three third period goals, knocking off the Blazers 3-1 on Saturday night at the Kansas Coliseum. Tyler Hanchuck, who was moved to forward this week, tied the game at 1-1. Just 1:37 later, Kyle Bruce threw a huge check on D.J. Jelitto, who turned the puck over to Kris Wiebe for the game-winner. Tyler Liebel provided the insurance goal, as eight different Thunder players registered a point.

LAPLANTE BACK IN FORM- After missing four games, goaltender Sebastien Laplante returned to the lineup and did everything he could to try and lead the Thunder to victory. After allowing three goals on 23 first period shots on Tuesday, Laplante allowed just three goals over the next eight periods. For the week, Laplante gave up just six goals on 99 shots. With his 45th win on Saturday, Laplante tied Lance Leslie for second place in Thunder history. With four, Laplante is also one shutout shy of tying Greg Smith for the most in team history.

THUNDER KEEPS MIXING IT UP- With just six penalty minutes on Saturday, the Thunder fell to second in the CHL, averaging 33.07 penalty minutes per game. Wichita is tied with Youngstown for the CHL lead with 35 major penalties. Despite the high penalty numbers, the Thunder has been shorthanded an average of just 6.36 times per game and has a league-low 109 minor penalties. Kyle Bruce leads the Thunder with seven majors, though eight Thunder players have recorded at least two.

CLAYTON WATCH- With 312, Travis Clayton needs one goal to pass former Thunder star Paul Jackson for second place in CHL history. Former Blazer Joe Burton is the all-time leader with a whopping 565. Clayton is now just nine points shy of becoming the third player in CHL history to reach the 800-point plateau.

ROSTER REPORT- The Thunder signed fourth-year defenseman Eric Nelson on Saturday and waived forward Ladislav Kouba. Nelson has notched 36 points in 205 career games, including three at the AHL level.

INJURY REPORT- Veteran left wing Jason Duda, on the 30-day IR since opening weekend, resumed skating last week and still hopes to return to the Thunder lineup this week. Duda has missed 13 of the first 14 games.

HOCKEY AND HORSE RACING- Mark French tried his hand at another sport Friday...sort of. In the ninth race at Remington Park in Oklahoma, a five-year-old horse named "Marq French" took second place, paying $3.80.

THUNDERBOLTS- Wichita is 4-3-0 against teams from Oklahoma, but is 0-7-0 against the rest of the CHL...Saturday was Wichita's first win of the season when allowing the first goal and when trailing after two periods...Wichita ranks second in the CHL, averaging 6,320 fans per game...Dominic D'Amour leads all CHL defensemen with 64 shots on goal...The Thunder is the only team in the CHL yet to play an overtime/shootout game this season...Only Wichita and Amarillo have yet to win a road game this season...The Thunder has both scored and allowed just one shorthanded goal this season.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES:

Tuesday, November 27- Wichita 0 at Mississippi 3

Thursday, November 29- Wichita 1 at Bossier-Shreveport 2

Saturday, December 1- Oklahoma City 1 at Wichita 3

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Wednesday, December 5- Rocky Mountain at Wichita 7:05 PM

Friday, December 7- Wichita at Colorado 8:05 PM

Saturday, December 8- Wichita at Rocky Mountain 8:05 PM

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Tuesday- Wednesday Kansas Coliseum, 10:00 AM

METAL BLADE RECORDS PLAYER OF THE WEEK-

Goaltender Sebastien Laplante (3 games, 6 goals allowed)

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2007


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