Thunder Pick Up First Win
Published on November 4, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER BEAT BRAHMAS AFTER WEEKEND OF NEAR MISSES- Chad Nelson's first goal of the season broke a third period tie and lifted the Thunder to a 4-2 win at Fort Worth last night. Stephen Wagner recorded Wichita's first victory of the season, making 27 saves. Prior to Sunday, it seemed the Thunder were just snake-bitten. Wichita came close on Wednesday, but dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Oklahoma City. On Friday, the Thunder became the only team to score more than two goals in a game versus Austin, but lost 7-5. On Saturday in Laredo, the Bucks scored a power play goal with just 1:18 remaining, coming away with a 7-6 victory.
THUNDER POUR ON THE GOALS- With 16 goals over the last three games, the Thunder now rank second in the CHL with 31 goals scored, just one shy of the San Angelo Saints. The Thunder are the only CHL team with three players who have scored at least five goals. Travis Clayton leads the way with six, while newcomers Jeff Petruic and Peter MacKellar have picked up five each.
RED HOT LINE- Clayton and Petruic are just two parts of a top line, which combined with Jason Duda, scored a total of 22 points in four games last week. Clayton led the way with eight points and now ranks second in the CHL in scoring with 14 points. Duda chipped in six points last week and is fourth in the CHL in scoring with 13 points. Perhaps nobody was hotter than Jeff Petruic though, who racked up four goals and eight points, including three multiple-point games. Offensively, several Thunder players are also riding long scoring streaks, led by defenseman Bob Rapoza. Second among all CHL defensemen with 10 points, Rapoza has picked up a point in eight straight games. Clayton's streak has reached seven, MacKellar's stands at six and Petruic has now scored in five straight.
INJURY REPORT- The injury bug has taken another bite out of the Thunder. Forward Jerod Bina, who broke a finger on opening weekend, will now undergo surgery on Tuesday to have a pin inserted in his right pinkie. The injury will keep Bina out of action for about four weeks. Forward Todd Johnson, who suffered a broken nose in Oklahoma City last weekend, will also now need minor surgery on Thursday and will probably miss both Friday and Saturday's games. He could return to the lineup on Sunday. Team Captain Jeff Leiter will have a new cast put on his broken wrist today, and will remain out for another two weeks. The Thunder are expected to have new faces in the lineup this weekend.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2002
- Gove Named CHL Player of the Week - Laredo Bucks
- Barnes, Gove Honored by CHL - CHL
- Saints Switch Defensemen - San Angelo Saints
- Scorpions Happy to be Back Home - New Mexico Scorpions
- Thunder Pick Up First Win - Wichita Thunder
- Thunder Add Managing Partner - Wichita Thunder
- Around the Ice - Indianapolis Ice
- IceRays Week in Review - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
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