Thunder Split Opening Weekend
October 20, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
MUDBUGS SPOIL HOME OPENER- Bossier-Shreveport jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then fought off a Thunder rally, coming away with a 5-2 win on Friday. Trailing 3-0 late in the second, Jerry Cunningham put the Thunder on the board with just 20.2 seconds remaining. Defenseman Chad Mazurak cut the lead to one midway through the third. The Mudbugs, however; added two late goals, despite being outshot 20-7 in the third period and 42-22 for the game. The two teams combined for 118 penalty minutes and went 0-15 on the power play
CARNEY, THUNDER STOP OILERS- Rookie Matt Carney came within 13 seconds of shutout, but picked up a 2-1 overtime victory thanks to a beautiful end to end give and go rush by Mazurak and Jason Duda. Travis Clayton gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead with a power play goal late in the second period. Then with goaltender Tim Kelleher pulled, the Oilers tied the game with 13 seconds left in regulation on a goal by Dan Gravelle. Just 38 seconds into the extra frame, defenseman Chad Mazurak started up ice with the puck. He hit the blueline, sent a quick pass to Duda, went hard to the net and took a return feed to win the game and even the Thunder record at 1-1-0. Duda assisted on both Thunder goals.
OPERATION HOME RUN- The Thunder return home on Friday to take on the New Mexico Scorpions. All fans that bring baseball equipment (especially gloves) to the game will receive a free ticket and be entered in a drawing to win prizes from the Coleman Company. The equipment will be given to "Operation Home Run" and distributed to U.S. Armed Forces overseas, including Iraq, where the children have begun playing America's Favorite Past Time.
THUNDER ADD DEFENSEMAN- Peter Runkel joined the Thunder for practice this morning and will make his CHL debut on Friday. Runkel played four seasons at Mankato State in Minnesota, where he was a teammate of Thunder forward Jerry Cunningham. A physical, stay-at-home defenseman, his college totals include 28 points and 176 penalty minutes in 137 games. Following graduation, Runkel joined the WCHL's Idaho Steelheads last season, picking up an assist in four playoff games. Runkel replaces Henrik Bergfors, who returned to Sweden today for surgery on his injured shoulder. The Thunder will have to make one more roster move by Friday.
THUNDERBOLTS- Veteran Jason Duda extended his streak of games played to 214...Jeff Leiter recorded his 60th career major penalty and went over 800 career penalty minutes on Friday...The Thunder have held opponents scoreless on nine power play opportunities...Wichita went 1-17 on the power play this weekend...The Thunder outshot their opponent in six of seven periods...All 64 games this seasons will be broadcast on AM 1070 "The Ranch" and online at www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2003
- Mudbugs Week in Review - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
- Gorillas Prepare for Home Opener this Friday against Expansion Bees - Amarillo Gorillas
- Thunder Split Opening Weekend - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Go 1-0-1 To Open Up 2003-2004 Campaign - Tulsa Oilers
- Indy wins opener, 5-2 - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
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