Thunder Sweep Weekly Honors
December 28, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Central Hockey League today named Thunder goaltender Jamie Vandespyker the Sherwood CHL Goaltender of the Week and Thunder forward Travis Clayton the Oakley CHL Player of the Week.
Vandespyker (pronounced VAN-duh-spy-ker), a second-year pro out of Campbellville, Ontario, led the Thunder to a perfect 3-0-0 record last week, allowing just five goals in three road games.
Vandespyker made 23 saves in a 4-2 in at Oklahoma City on Tuesday and followed it up with a 16-save effort on Christmas night in Topeka. With goaltender Jason Flick, battling illness for the fourth straight game, Vandespyker was forced into action again on Sunday at Tulsa, despite having the flu. He came up with 16 saves in a 7-1 Thunder victory, moving Wichita's road record to a remarkable 12-3-0.
The October Sherwood CHL Goaltender of the Month, Vandespyker has won four straight games and five of his last six. He now ranks second in the CHL with a record of 13-5-0 and has a very respectable 2.36 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.
Clayton takes CHL weekly honors for the second time in the last three weeks, after putting together eight points in three games. A native of Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, Clayton had a part in all three Thunder goals on Christmas Night in Topeka, with a goal and two assists. He followed up that effort a day later, notching two goals and two assists in Tulsa.
Clayton now leads the entire CHL with 41 points and 28 assists. The all-time leading scorer in Thunder history, Clayton is currently riding a nine-game scoring streak, as he makes a final bid for a spot on the 2005 CHL Northern Conference All-Star Team.
The rosters for the 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game will be announced tomorrow. Both Clayton and Jason Duda (39 points) are hoping to join Thunder defenseman Paul Esdale, who will start for the Northern squad. The 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game will take place on Wednesday, January 12th in Laredo, Texas.
The Thunder, with a CHL-best record of 19-7-1 return to action on Thursday in Fort Worth. Wichita will host the Tulsa Oilers on New Year's Eve at 6:00 p.m. and the Colorado Eagles on New Year's Day at 5:00 p.m. In honor of 2005, all tickets for the New Year's Day Game are just $5 each.
Corporate packages and season tickets for the 2004-05 campaign are also still on sale. To order your tickets or for more information, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
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- Scorpions Sign Weber, Ready for C-Kings Tonight - New Mexico Scorpions
- Thunder Sweep Weekly Honors - Wichita Thunder
- Oakley CHL Player & Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
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- Killer Bees Game Night Preview vs Laredo - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
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