CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Starts Week Slow, Ends With a Bang

Published on March 28, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


The Wichita Thunder went 1-3-0 last week to close out the regular season, beginning with a 5-3 loss to the Missouri Mavericks on Tuesday night in Independence. The Thunder had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to goals from A.J. Gale and Troy Schwab, but the Mavericks scored three times in the second and never looked back. Mike Berry netted a key goal on a penalty shot in the third for Missouri. Dustin Donaghy accounted for the Thunder's other goal. The game was a makeup for the contest originally scheduled for February 1st.

Wichita dropped a 5-3 contest to the Tulsa Oilers at home on Friday night. Goals from Kory Scoran and Matt Robinson helped the Thunder battle back from an early 2-0 deficit, but the Oilers rattled off three straight scores to break open the game. Kevin Beech took the loss, saving 16 of 21. Davis and Scoran each had two points. Robinson's goal was his 40th of the season.

The Thunder lost their third straight game on Saturday night, 4-2 at Tulsa. Chris Greene potted a shorthanded goal in the first to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead, but the Oilers stormed back with three straight in the second to take control. Andrew Martens cut the lead to 3-2 with a late goal in the second, before Jack Combs' second of the night midway through the third accounted for the game's final tally. Marty Magers returned from Goaltender IR and was 20 of 24 in the loss.

Wichita ended their mini losing streak with a dominating 8-1 victory over the Mississippi RiverKings on Sunday at home. Dustin Donaghy, Troy Schwab, and Daniel Tetrault each scored two goals, with Schwab and Tetrault finishing with four points each. Marty Magers made a season-high 44 saves to earn the win. Brent Cullaton and Steven Kaunisto each chipped in three assists, with Cullaton finishing the game +4. Tetrault and Aaron Davis also scored shorthanded in the game. It was Davis' fourth shorthanded goal of the year. Magers' 44 saves were the most by a Thunder goaltender this season.

Opening Round: Thunder vs. Mavericks

The Wichita Thunder (5th, Turner) begin their first playoff run since 2007 on Wednesday, March 30th when they host the Missouri Mavericks (4th, Turner) in Game One of the Opening Round. The best-of-five series follows at 1-2-1-1 format, with the Mavericks hosting Games Two and Three on Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2nd respectively. Game Four (if necessary) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5th at Wichita. Game Five (if necessary) would be Wednesday, April 6th at Missouri. The Thunder was 7-4-0 against the Mavericks during the regular season, including an overtime win and a shootout win. The Mavericks were the lone Turner Conference team to beat the Thunder in regulation at the INTRUST Bank Arena, winning 2-0 on December 27th behind a shutout from Rob Nolan.

The Quest for Three

The Wichita Thunder is in the postseason for the first time since 2007 and aims to win their first playoff series since 2005. The Thunder is also looking to become the first CHL franchise to win three championships (1994, 1995). The Oklahoma City Blazers, Memphis RiverKings, Laredo Bucks, and Colorado Eagles have also won two President's Cups during the league's 19-year history.

Thunder Finishes Third in Attendance Race

The Wichita Thunder finished the 2010-11 regular season third in the CHL attendance standings, averaging 5,342 fans per game. It is the sixth consecutive year in which the Thunder has finished third or better.

McClelland in Select Company

First-year Thunder Head Coach is in the Central Hockey League playoffs for a fifth consecutive season. McClelland has guided the Mississippi RiverKings and Colorado Eagles to the playoffs twice each, reaching the President's Cup Finals with Colorado in 2009. McClelland is one of only four coaches in CHL history to lead three different teams to the playoffs. Bill McDonald, Chris Stewart, and Todd Lalonde are the others.

INTRUST Bank Arena Advantage

At 20-9-4 (.667), the Thunder has the best home record in the Turner Conference and second-best overall in the league. Wichita has played exceptionally well at the INTRUST Bank Arena when hosting Turner Conference opponents. The Thunder finished the regular season 12-1-2 (.867) at home against the Turner, losing in regulation just once.

'Turnering' it Around

A big reason for Wichita's success this season has been its record versus the top three returning teams in the conference. Wichita went a combined 13-7-2 (.636) against Colorado, Rapid City, and Missouri, with winning records against all three. The Thunder was 0-24-3 against those three clubs last year.

Offensive Thunder

The Thunder finished the regular season third in the league in offense at 3.77 goals for per game.

Special Teams Finish Strong

The Thunder received exceptional play from its special teams units down the stretch. The Thunder went 9 for 33 (27.3%) on the power play over its final seven games. Wichita's penalty kill was 40 for 45 (88.9%) during that same stretch.

Thunder Survives Long March

The Thunder went 8-6-0 during the month of March in which they played 14 games in a span of just 27 days.

Team Awards

Prior to Sunday's regular season finale, the Thunder handed out their 2011 team awards. Travis Wight was presented with the Thunder's Community Service Award. A.J. Gale earned Most Improved Player honors. Chris Greene took home the Lewis Street Glass Rattler of the Year. Aaron Davis was named the Thunder's Unsung Hero. Andrew Martens was awarded Thunder Defenseman of the Year. Matt Robinson was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Thunder Ironmen

Four players skated in all 66 of the Thunder's regular season games this season. They were Chris Greent, Jesse Bennefield, Travis Wight, and Aaron Davis.

Big Week for Martens

Last week, Thunder defenseman Andrew Martens was named to the 2011 All-CHL Team and was also named the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman. It marked the first time since 2005 that a Thunder player earned either distinction. Martens finished the regular season tied for second among CHL blue liners with 54 points and tied for fourth with 15 goals.

Top-25

The Thunder ended the regular season with four players that ranked in the CHL's top-25 in points. Right wing Jesse Bennefield led the Thunder with 75 points, and tied for 12th in the league. Linemates Matt Robinson and Aaron Davis tied for 15th with 72 points each. Right wing A.J. Gale finished 22nd in the league with 64 points.

Other League Leaders

Left wing Matt Robinson finished the season tied for second in the CHL with 40 goals, while right wing Jesse Bennefield tied for seventh with 35. Kory Scoran's 12 goals were ninth-most among defensemen. Forward Dustin Donaghy finished fourth among CHL rookies with 16 goals. Defenseman Steven Kaunisto tied for fourth among rookies in plus/minus at +10. Rookie goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas tied for third overall in the league with 26 wins and tied for second with four shutouts. Right wing Robin Richards finished seventh overall with 189 PIM.

Around the CHL Playoffs

In the Northern Conference, Rapid City (1) faces Dayton (8), Colorado (2) takes on Quad City (7), and Bloomington (3) faces Fort Wayne.

In the Southern Conference, Allen (1) battles Rio Grande Valley (8), Bossier-Shreveport (2) tackles Arizona (7), Tulsa (3) faces Mississippi (6), and Texas (4) goes up against Odessa (5).

Roster Notes

Marty Magers was activated from Goaltender IR over the weekend. The Thunder waived goaltender Kevin Beech. Defenseman Mike Looby, forward Lance Galbraith, and center Bobby Hughes are all on the 10-Day IR.

Follow the Thunder Through the Playoffs

All Thunder playoff games are broadcast on either 93.5 FM KWME or 1550 AM KKLE. You can also listen to each game on the internet at www.kleyam.com Emerson Biggin's West (located at 21st and Maize) is the Thunder's official watch party sponsor of all road games. Thunder food and drink specials will be offered throughout the playoffs.

Up Next

The Thunder hosts the Missouri Mavericks for Game One of the Opening Round on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Games Two and Three are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Independence Events Center. Both start at 7:05 p.m. For tickets to Wednesday's game, call the INTRUST Bank Arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com.

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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