Thunder Lose Battle of First Place Teams
February 24, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Evansville, IN - In a battle of the top two teams in their respective conferences, Wichita (34-15-2) was unable to hold onto a two-goal lead and lost 4-3 to the Evansville IceMen (34-13-4) Friday night at the Ford Center. Matt Summers had two points and RG Flath stayed hot with a goal despite the loss. Wichita holds onto its three-point lead for first place in the Berry Conference with an Allen loss earlier to Laredo.
The two teams combined for five goals in the second period with Wichita scoring early in the period and Evansville gaining its first lead late. RG Flath (15) gave Wichita a 1-0 lead off a beautiful pass from Thomas Beauregard and beat IceMen goalie Bryan Gillis to the blocker side. Wichita added to its lead at 4:13 after the puck redirected out to the point and T.J. Miller (1) made it 2-0 with a blast to the upper corner.
However, the IceMen scored the next three. John Ronan came down on a two-on-one and beat Thunder starter Bryan Hogan between the legs to cut the lead to 2-1. After Chris Greene was sent to the box for an illegal check to the head, Malcolm Gwilliam tied the game at two with a power play tally. With a minute to go in the second period, Todd Robinson got behind the Thunder defense and scored on a break-a-way to give the IceMen their first lead of the game.
Brian Bicek had the game-winner with just over two minutes remaining in the game as he caught a high clearing attempt that stopped just inside the Thunder blue line and walked in alone to beat Hogan to extend the lead to 4-2. Matt Summers tipped home a shot from Jarred Mohr from the point to cut the lead to 4-3 with just six second left, but it was too little, too late and the IceMen held on for the 4-3 win.
Summers extended his scoring streak to five games with a goal and an assist. Hogan suffered his first loss of the season since coming to Wichita as his record is now 5-1-0 in Thunder blue. The IceMen extended their winning streak to a league-best eight games and lead the season series over Wichita 2-1.
The Thunder head back west to take on Missouri in a home and home series for the second straight weekend starting tomorrow at the Independence Event Center. Wichita returns home Sunday to take on the Mavericks at 5:05 p.m. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2012
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- Shots from the Point for February 24, 2012 - CHL
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