Thunder Move into Second Place, Beat Allen 5-1
Published on February 19, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS (February 19th) - Wichita (30-15-6) won its third game in a row by defeating the Allen Americans (29-12-9) 5-1 on Tuesday night at INTRUST Bank Arena in front of 5,940 fans. Chad Painchaud recorded three points and rookie netminder Grant Rollheiser earned his first win in a Thunder uniform. Wichita is 3-1-1 against Allen this season. With the victory, the Thunder move past the Fort Worth Brahmas into second place and just one point behind Allen. The two teams will meet once again on Friday night, this time at the Allen Events Center.
Even though the two teams have only seen each other a total of 17 times including tonight, there was a different feeling in the building. Matt Robinson was sent off just eight seconds into the game for a cross check, which set the tone for how the early part of the game would go.
Wichita struck first with a Chad Painchaud goal at 7:52 off a rebound to make it 1-0. Late in the period, Torrie Jung came out to challenge a shot and was shaken after making a save on a Jarret Lukin chance from the slot. He was lifted out of the game and Rollheiser came on in relief for the second time in the last four contests.
Lukin evened things up five minutes into the second period with a snap shot off the bar past Rollheiser. After that, Wichita took control of the game and scored four unanswered. RG Flath got the game-winner at 14:36 after Matt Summers stole the puck from Aaron Dell behind the net and fed Flath in the slot for his 22nd of the season. With under a minute to go in the period, Neil Trimm found a long dump out from Kevin Young, skated in on a short break-a-way and put a backhand over the shoulder of Dell to extend the lead to 3-1.
Ian Lowe and Painchaud closed out the scoring in the third period, giving Wichita a 5-1 win. The Thunder out-scored Allen 9-2 over the last two meetings and have won the last three over the Americans.
Painchaud extended his scoring streak to six games with a goal and two assists. He has recorded three points in the last two contests and also has a Gordie Howe hat trick in back-to-back games. Flath also extended his scoring streak to six games with a goal and an assist. Trimm scored his 24th of the season and leads the team with 54 points. In his first game at home since signing last Friday, Rollheiser earned third star honors, stopping 27 of 28 shots
Wichita went 0-for-4 on the power play while Allen was 0-for-6.
Wichita plays the next three away from home. On Friday, Wichita will head to Allen to finish a three-game mini series with the Americans. The next night Wichita travels to Independence to take on Missouri. There is still room on the Thunder bus trip to the game. For more details, give the Thunder office a call or check out the Thunder website. Wichita's next home game is Friday, March 2nd against the Bloomington Blaze, which is also College Fair Night. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com.
Wichita Thunder mini-plans are still available. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game for more information. Join the Blue Revolution today!
Central Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2013
- Thunder Move into Second Place, Beat Allen 5-1 - Wichita Thunder
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- Tulsa's Shane Madolora Named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week - CHL
- Carlson Earns MWJHL Honor, Blaze Ready for Rush - Bloomington Blaze
- Thunder Weekly - Wichita Thunder
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