Thunder Makes Deadline Trade
February 13, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER TRADES BAIN, ACQUIRES NAHIRNIAK- The Thunder made one move at the CHL trade deadline today, acquiring 6-5, 230-pound defenseman Andrew Nahirniak from the Fort Worth Brahmas for rookie forward Chris Bain. Nahirniak gives the Thunder a six-man defensive rotation, which they have been lacking most of the season. A defensive defenseman, Nahirniak notched a goal and four assists this season with the Brahmas, He spent last season, his rookie season, with the CHL's now defunct San Angelo Saints, where he picked up 13 points in 53 games
EAGLES TAKE A PAIR FROM THUNDER- Colorado got revenge from last Saturday's loss in Wichita, taking a pair of close wins over the Thunder this week. On Wednesday, the Eagles broke open a 3-3 game in the third period, taking a 5-3 victory in Colorado. Joe Blaznek led the Thunder with two goals and an assist, while Kris Wiebe also added a goal. On Friday at the Kansas Coliseum, Colorado jumped out to a 2-0 lead and hung on for a 2-1 victory. Joe Blaznek again scored Wichita's lone goal. In the two games, the two teams combined for 160 penalty minutes and 44 power plays.
TULSA SILENCES THUNDER, SEASON-HIGH CROWD- The Oilers jumped out to a 2-0 lead and rolled to a 4-1 victory on Saturday in front 8,517 fans, the largest crowd at the Kansas Coliseum this season. Jason Duda scored Wichita's lone goal. Jaroslav Cesky and Jim Dahl each had two points, giving them a combined 13 goals and 25 points in seven games versus Wichita this season. The loss was Wichita's second in a row at home for only the second time this season, and dropped the Thunder home record to 17-3-3.
THUNDER ATTENDANCE KEEPS RISING- With Saturday's season-high attendance of 8,517 fans, the Thunder moved their average attendance to 5,528 fans per game, passing both the Laredo Bucks (5,527) and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (5,518) for the second-best attendance in the 15-team CHL. With crowds of 8,259, 8,158 and 8,517 over the past three Saturdays, the Thunder recorded their first ever back-to-back weekends with crowds over 8,000 fans. With nine home dates left, Wichita's home attendance is the third highest total in their 14-year history.
CLAYTON CONTINUES HOT STREAK- Veteran center Travis Clayton notched five assists in three games last week, extending his scoring streak to 10 straight games. Clayton, who had a 12-game scoring streak earlier this season, ranks ninth in the CHL with 61 points and is fourth overall with 43 assists. With 694, Clayton needs six more points to become only the third player in CHL history to record 700 points (Joe Burton and Doug Lawrence).
NORTHWEST BATTLE- With exactly six weeks to go in the regular season, the race for the final two playoff spots in the Northern Conference continues to tighten. With 53 points, Wichita now trails third-seeded Oklahoma City by five points, though the Thunder still has four games in hand on the Blazers. The Thunder leads fifth-seeded Tulsa by five points for the final playoff spot, but still has two games in hand on the Oilers.
THUNDERBOLTS- Joe Blaznek leads the CHL with 19 power play goals, ranks second in the CHL with 34 goals and 230 shots on goal, and is third overall with 66 points...Jason Duda ranks sixth in the CHL with 63 points and is third overall with 45 assists...Daniel Tetrault ranks fourth among CHL defensemen with 44 points...Wichita leads the CHL, averaging 31.8 penalty minutes per game...The Thunder have scored a CHL-high 70 power play goals...Wichita ranks second in the CHL with 11 shorthanded goals...The Thunder will play five of their next six games on the road.
SATURDAY, MARCH 18th IS PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT VERSUS THE BLAZERS "" CHECK THE THUNDER WEBSITE THIS WEEK FOR DETAILS!
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Wednesday, February 8- Wichita 3 at Colorado 5 Loss
Friday, February 10- Colorado 2 at Wichita 1 Loss
Saturday, February 11- Tulsa 4 at Wichita 1 Loss
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Thursday, February 16- Wichita at Memphis 7:05 PM 98.7 FM/1240 AM
Friday, February 17- Wichita at Tulsa 7:35 PM 98.7 FM/1240 AM
Saturday, February 18- Wichita at Oklahoma City 7:35 PM 98.7 FM/1240 AM
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, February 14- Wichita Ice Center 10:00 AM
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- Oilers Make Two Trades - Tulsa Oilers
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- Thunder Makes Deadline Trade - Wichita Thunder
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