Thunder Sweep Missouri in Three-Game Mini Series
December 6, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Independence, MO (December 6th) - Jon Booras has been red-hot for the Thunder (6-11-4) and continued on his torrid pace, netting the game-winner with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation to claim a 2-1 victory over the Missouri Mavericks on Friday night at the Independence Events Center. Booras finished with a goal and an assist while Ian Lowe had two points as well. Wichita sweeps the three-game mini series over the Mavericks and leads the Independence Cup series 3-2-0. The two teams will not see each other until mid-January.
Wichita got its fore-check going in the first period and it resulted in a goal five minutes in. Booras stole the puck in the right wing corner and fed Lowe who put a one-timer past Joe Howe for a 1-0 lead. Trevor Kell was then assessed an elbowing penalty at 7:02 putting the Thunder on the power play for the first time in the contest. Missouri got on the board at 8:48 with a shorthanded break-a-way goal from Rob Kleebaum, his second in three games against Wichita which knotted it at one.
The Mavericks had the better of the chances in the second and limited Wichita to just three shots on net. David Brown was up to the task, stopping all 12 shots he faced. Tensions rose early in the period as Dustin Donaghy and Kyle Hood scrapped at 2:54 which was a carry over from the night before.
As time started to wind down in the final period, Wichita took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone. Lowe came up the left wing, found Booras who one-timed it past Howe from the right circle and re-gained the lead at 11:40. The Mavericks started to unravel down the stretch, committing three minors and two 10-minute misconducts in the final five minutes. The final buzzer sounded and Wichita held on for its second-straight one-goal victory at Missouri, winning by the final of 2-1.
The Thunder has won four of the last five and its first three-game winning streak of the season. Wichita improved to 4-3-2 on the road and 10-2-1 at the Independence Events Center since the start of the 2011-12 season. Booras extended his point-streak to six games (6g, 5a) and has goals in five out of his last six. Brown earned his second-straight win, stopping 30 of 31 shots. Howe took the loss, stopping 14 of 16 shots he faced.
Wichita went 0-for-6 on the power play. Missouri was 0-for-2.
The Thunder return home Saturday to close out a three-in-three against the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. Saturday Night is Teddy Bear Toss Night, presented by Bank of the West and the Law Office of Slape and Howard. Bring a new teddy bear to the game and when the Thunder score its first goal, fans are encouraged to the throw the bears on the ice. The teddy bears will delivered around the area to local charities and underprivileged children by the Thunder players to help ensure everyone has a present for the holiday season.
Individual game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets and mini plans are still available. Don't delay, contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625. Stay up-to-date on all the news this off-season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2013
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