Thunder Loses Three of Four
January 12, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
The Thunder lost three of four games last week, starting with a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Sundogs at the Coliseum on Tuesday night. Wichita fell behind 3-0 before Troy Ofukany and Joel Hanson scored goals to cut Arizona's lead to one. Sundogs' forward Karl Sellan scored on an empty net to close out the game. Tim Boron saved nine of 12 before being removed for an injury. Krister Toews finished the game, saving all 11 shots he faced.
The Thunder dropped a tough 4-3 loss to Rapid City on Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Troy Ofuknay scored a game-tying goal with less than a minute left in regulation to knot the game at 3-3. However, the Rush scored with 8.3 seconds left in the third to take a 4-3 lead and eventually held on for the win. Scott Rozendal scored two goals for the Thunder. Krister Toews absorbed the hard-luck loss, saving 41 of 45 shots.
Wichita bounced back on Saturday to beat the Rush 4-1. Jason Duda scored in the first period to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead that they would never relinquish. Bryan Nathe and Joel Hanson added goals to make it 3-0. After the Rush made it 3-1, Scott Rozendal scored a shorthanded empty-net goal to remove any hopes of a Rapid City comeback. Greg Cassista finished the game with two assists. Krister Toews picked up the win, saving 38 of 39.
The Thunder lost another close game on Sunday, falling 3-1 to the Rocky Mountain Rage in Broomfield, CO. Jason Duda scored midway through the second period to slice into a 2-0 Rage lead. The Thunder was unable to tie the game in the third period however, and fell behind 3-1 on an empty-net goal from Rage forward Daymen Rycroft. Krister Toews took another tough loss, saving 27 of 29 shots.
Duda is Thunder's All-Time Best
Jason Duda reached two major milestones last week, appearing in his 697th Thunder game, and scoring his 327th Thunder goal. Both marks move Duda past Travis Clayton for most in franchise history. Duda is now the All-Time Thunder leader in games, goals, assists, points, and hat tricks.
Trio Clicking
Jason Duda, Joel Hanson, and Troy Ofukany have led the Thunder offense of late. Since December 31st, a span of seven games, Duda has five goals and seven assists, Hanson has four goals and six assists, and Ofukany has five goals and four assists. The trio has played on the same line for virtually the entire stretch.
Toews Starring
Rookie goaltender Krister Toews had a terrific week. The Kleefeld, Manitoba native saved 117 of the 124 (.944) shots he faced over four games. Toews's goals against average last week was 2.00 in 210 minutes played.
Tessier Earns Performance of the Week
Defenseman Jason Tessier's hat trick on December 26th at Tulsa in a 6-3 Thunder win was voted the CHL Performance of the Week for December 22nd-28th. It was the second straight week that Wichita captured the award. Tim Boron's 51-save win over Mississippi on December 19th won Performance of the Week for December 15th-21st.
Greene to All-Star Game
Chris Greene will represent the Thunder in the CHL All-Star Game at Colorado this Wednesday. Greene has four goals, 15 assists, and 48 PIM in 33 games this season.
Penalty Kill Rising
Wichita was outstanding on the penalty kill last week. In four games, the Thunder was 31 for 33 (93.9%) when the opposition was on the power play, and now ranks seventh in the CHL at 83.5%. Wichita has not allowed more than one power play goal in a game since December 12th. Wichita's penalty kill unit is 72 for its last 79 (91.1%) over the last 13 games.
Thunder Ironmen
Three Thunder players have appeared in all 35 contests this season. They are Chris Tarkir, Jason Tessier, and Scott Rozendal.
Injury Update
Chris Shudo returned from the 30-Day IR on Saturday night at Rapid City. Brad Thompson missed last weekend's action with an upper body injury and is considered day-to-day. Defensemen Jonathan Bernier (lower body) and Pascal Bedard (upper body) are currently on the 14-Day IR. Mike Batovanja (knee) remains on the 30-Day IR.
Pack the House Night on the 24th
The Thunder hosts its annual "Pack the House Night" on Saturday, January 24th when they host rival Oklahoma City.
Up Next
The Thunder finish the back end of a six-game road swing this weekend, playing Friday through Sunday away from the Coliseum. Wichita plays at Rocky Mountain Friday and Sunday, while making their lone trip to Fort Collins to play the Eagles on Saturday. Friday's game begins at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. Coverage can be heard worldwide at www.wichitathunder.com The Thunder finally returns home Friday, January 23rd when they host the Rapid City Rush. Opening faceoff is at 7:05 p.m. at the Coliseum. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2009
- Become a Mudbugs First-Timer - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Gorillas Announce Pellerin as New Head Coach - Amarillo Gorillas
- Goaltender Gistedt Recalled to San Antonio - Arizona Sundogs
- Sundogs Radio Broadcaster Jordan Duvall Added to CHL All-Star Game Broadcast - Arizona Sundogs
- Rush To Host Hockey 101/Season Ticket Sale Tonight - Rapid City Rush
- Rapid City Rush To Make Local Visits For Youth - Rapid City Rush
- Thunder Loses Three of Four - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Weekly - Tulsa Oilers
- Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Sundogs Raise Almost $19,000 for Charity in First of Four Jersey Auctions - Arizona Sundogs
- Jacks Assist Local Resident in Cancer Fight - Odessa Jackalopes
- Shots from the Point - CHL
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