Thunder Sweep by Arizona with Third OT Winner
Published on April 4, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Prescott Valley, AZ (April 3rd) - In a see-saw affair on Wednesday night, Les Reaney scored four minutes into the first overtime session to give the Thunder a 4-3 win over Arizona at Tim's Toyota Center. Wichita earns its second sweep in franchise history and first since the 1993-94 CHL Finals against the Tulsa Oilers. Greger Hanson scored two goals while Reaney had a goal and an assist. Wichita won in overtime in back-to-back nights and its third of the series. The Thunder will await its opponent in the next round pending the outcome of the other three series that have not been decided.
Carrying over from last night, the two teams came out hitting one another and finishing their checks. Wichita got on the board first at the nine minute mark after coincidental minors were called. Chad Painchaud beat the defender to the puck, found Hanson at the bottom of the left circle and fired a low shot through David Brown. Arizona appeared to tie it up on a four-on-three, but a McCready shot that beat Torrie Jung was waived off as there was some contact in front of the net by Kevin Baker. Shortly thereafter, Cody Purves tracked down a loose puck on a dump in, fired it to the net and banked off of Andrew Martens' skate and went in the net to tie game at one.
The two teams traded goals in the second period. Hanson scored his second at 5:44 on the power play after receiving a beautiful feed from Painchaud across the crease. Mario Larocque tied the game at two six minutes later after catching a pass at the left circle and put it over the shoulder of Jung.
Kevin Young gave Wichita its third lead of the game right off a face-off at the 11 minute mark to put Wichita back on top 3-2. Young's goal was the second Thunder power play goal of the contest. Arizona answered a few minutes later when Johan Ryd found a loose puck during a scramble in front of Jung and tied it at three. Both teams had some great chances down the stretch, including a breakaway from Baker with less than 20 seconds remaining, but Jung was able to stand strong as Baker's shot rolled off his stick behind the net. On the ensuing rush, Greger Hanson came down on a three-on-one, but his wrist shot was gloved by Brown. For the second night in a row, the two teams needed extra time.
Early in the overtime period, Chad Painchaud won a foot race to a loose puck and as he was stepping around two defenders, got pulled down. Wichita wasted little time with the opportunity as Les Reaney popped home a rebound at 4:13 of OT and gave the Thunder a 4-3 win.
Wichita improved to 12-1 in overtime games that are decided in the first OT and 13-5 all-time. Young finished with three points (1g, 2a) while Jung won his fourth game of the post-season, stopping 27 of 30 shots he faced.
Wichita was 3-for-7 on the power play while Arizona was 2-for-6.
Opening Round - Series "B" (best-of-7)
Arizona Sundogs vs. Wichita Thunder
Game 1 - Thu., Mar. 28 - Arizona 3 Wichita 4 W (OT)
Game 2 - Sat., Mar. 30 - Arizona 0 Wichita 3 W
Game 3 - Tue., Apr. 2 - Wichita 2 Arizona 1 W (OT)
Game 4 - Wed., Apr. 3 - Wichita 4 Arizona 3 W (OT)
*Game 5 - Sat., Apr. 6 - Arizona at Wichita, 7:05 p.m.
*Game 6 - Sun., Apr. 7 - Arizona at Wichita, 5:05 p.m.
*Game 7 - Wed., Apr. 10 - Wichita at Arizona, 8:05 p.m.
*- If Necessary
Thunder wins 4-0
(All times Central)
Wichita will await its next opponent as the other three series have not been decided. Stay tuned to our Facebook page or website to see who the Thunder will face in the next round . For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com .
Wichita Thunder playoff packages are on sale now. There are many ways to get involved, so be a part of the Blue Revolution and the Thunder's quest for a CHL Title by joining the Blue Crue. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game for more information. Join the Blue Revolution today!
Central Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2013
- Americans Forward to Hold Charity Auction this Saturday to Help Fight Cancer - Allen Americans
- Sundogs Lose Heartbreaker against Wichita, 4-3 - Arizona Sundogs
- Thunder Sweep by Arizona with Third OT Winner - Wichita Thunder
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