CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder off to best start ever

Published on November 22, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


EAGLES EDGE THUNDER- Trailing 1-0, Colorado scored three unanswered goals, then hung on for a 3-2 win on Friday at the Kansas Coliseum. Paul Esdale and Jason Duda scored goals for the Thunder, while veteran Greg Pankewicz scored the game-winner for the Eagles. Rookie Shawn Weiman made 30 saves, handing Thunder netminder Jamie Vandespyker his first loss of the season.

THUNDER POUND SCORPIONS- The Thunder exploded for four second period goals, en route to a 6-1 home win over New Mexico on Saturday. Paul Esdale led the Thunder with two PP goals and an assist, as 11 different Thunder players picked up a point. Vandespyker picked up the victory making 28 saves, as the Thunder recorded a season-high 44 shots. The two teams combined for 116 penalty minutes.

THUNDER BEAT BLAZERS AGAIN- Wichita used disciplined hockey on Sunday, coming away with a 3-1 victory at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. Esdale, Mike Carter and Travis Clayton scored the Thunder goals, making a winner out of goaltender Jason Flick. The Thunder broke open a 1-1 game with two power play goals, as the Blazers racked up 60 penalty minutes to Wichita's 12.

THUNDER EXTEND STREAKS- At 10-2-0, the Thunder are off to their best start ever, surpassing the 9-3-0 start recorded by the 1994-95 Thunder Championship team. Dating back to last year, Wichita has won their last six regular season road games, tying the franchise-record.

POWER PLAY MACHINE- Paul Esdale had quite the weekend, picking up four power play goals and three assists, helping the Thunder go 7-28 on the power play in three games. Esdale now ranks fourth among all CHL defensemen with 10 points and is first with five PP goals.

CRAZY EIGHTS- With wins over the weekend, Wichita continued their dominance over New Mexico and Oklahoma City. The Thunder are now 7-0-1 over the Scorpions and 8-0-0 over the Blazers in the last eight meetings, Oklahoma City's longest losing streak ever vs. a CHL opponent.

LAST MAN STANDING- With points in all three games this weekend, veteran Travis Clayton is now the only player in the CHL to pick up a point in every game this season. Clayton ranks second in the CHL with 13 assists and leads the CHL with four game-winning goals. Veteran Jason Duda, fourth in the CHL with 20 points, had his scoring streak ended Sunday at 11 games.

THUNDERBOLTS- The Thunder rank third in the CHL on the power play (21.7%), in penalty killing (86.7%) and have drawn a CHL-most 83 PP chances...Wichita leads the CHL with a 1.83 goals against average...Rookie Derek Parker leads the CHL with 95 penalty minutes...Scott Allison leads the CHL with a +12 rating...Jason Flick is second among CHL goaltenders in both goals against average (1.31) and save percentage (.945)...Paul Esdale will be the guest tonight at 5:00 PM for the Thunder TV Show at BG Bolton's, located at 21st and Maize Road.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, November 19- Colorado 3 at Wichita 2 Loss
Saturday, November 20- New Mexico 1 at Wichita 6 Win
Sunday, November 21- Wichita 3 at Oklahoma City 1 Win

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Wednesday, November 24- Wichita at Topeka 7:05 PM
Friday, November 26- Wichita at Colorado 8:05 PM
Saturday, November 27- Wichita at Colorado 8:05 PM

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday-Wednesday Ice Sports Wichita 10:00 AM

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2004


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