CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder still cling to first

December 6, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


TULSA DROPS THUNDER- Tulsa benefited from goals by four different players and goaltender Bill Ruggiero made 29 saves, leading the Oilers to a 4-1 win over the Thunder on Tuesday night in Tulsa. John Kozoriz scored Wichita's lone goal. The two teams combined for 80 penalty minutes.

GORILLAS BREAKAWAY PAST THUNDER- Derek Hahn scored on a penalty shot and Kelly Miller added a breakaway goal in the third period, leading the Gorillas to a 3-1 victory over the Thunder on Friday in Amarillo. Hahn added an empty-net goal, making a winner out of goaltender Shawn Degagne, who made 30 saves. Paul Esdale scored Wichita's lone goal. The Thunder have already allowed two penalty shot goals this season.

THUNDER COME BACK, THEN FALL IN OVERTIME- Nate Metcalf scored a power play goal midway through the third period, tying the game at 1-1, before Amarillo won the game, 2-1 in overtime, Saturday at the Kansas Coliseum. Ryan Shannon scored the game-winner and Degagne was again the hero, stopping 36 shots as Wichita outshot Amarillo 37-19. Metcalf's power play tally snapped Wichita's streak of 32 straight opportunities without a goal. The Thunder are 11-1-1 this season when they score a power play goal, just 1-4-0 when they do not.

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS- This Friday is the third annual Commercial Federal Bank Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans are asked to bring a Teddy bear to the game and throw it on the ice when the Thunder scores their first goal. The Thunder would like to break last year's record of 704 bears. The Thunder players will deliver the bears to children at the pediatric units of Via Christi and Wesley on Tuesday, December 14th and to Heartspring, Maude Carpenter Children's Home and the Wichita Children's Home on Wednesday, December 15th. Sunday is a post game skate with the Thunder players night. A limited amount of skates will be available for rental.

THUNDERBOLTS- Rookie Jason Flick ranks second among CHL goaltenders with a 2.10 goals against average...Wichita is still second in the CHL with a 2.44 goals against average...Veteran Jason Duda is ninth in the CHL with 25 points...Veteran Travis Clayton is second in the CHL with four game-winning goals...Defenseman Paul Esdale is tied for first among CHL defensemen with seven goals and ranks fifth with 14 points...Rookie Derek Parker leads the CHL with 146 penalty minutes and is second with 14 major penalties...The Thunder are third in the CHL with 469 penalty minutes...The Thunder have yet to allow a shorthanded goal...Ryan McLean passed Bob Berg for 10th place on the all-time Thunder penalty minutes list, with 430...Rookie defenseman Kelly Sickavish will be the guest on the Thunder TV Coach's Show, taped tonight at 5:00 PM at BG Bolton's, 21st and Maize Road.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Tuesday, November 30- Wichita 1 at Tulsa 4 Loss
Friday, December 3- Wichita 1 at Amarillo 3 Loss
Saturday, December 4- Amarillo 2 at Wichita 1 OT Loss

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Friday, December 10- Memphis at Wichita 7:30 PM (First meeting of season)
Saturday, December 11- Wichita at Oklahoma City 7:35 PM (Thunder lead season 3-0)
Sunday, December 12- Bossier-Shreveport at Wichita 5:00 PM (Thunder lead season 1-0)

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday-Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2004


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.

OurSports Central