Thunder takes five out of six points
Published on November 28, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
LAPLANTE SHUTS OUT OILERS- Sebastien Laplante made 34 saves, guiding the Thunder to a 2-0 win over the Tulsa Oilers on Thanksgiving Eve. Tab Lardner and Daniel Tetrault supplied the goals, as Wichita moved their record to 9-0-1 at the Kansas Coliseum this season.
BIG THIRD BEATS BEES- Trailing 3-2 late in the third period, the Thunder veterans took charge, exploding for three goals and a 5-3 Thunder victory on Friday night at Rio Grande Valley. Travis Clayton tied the game with a power play goal, before Jason Duda scored the game-winner, with just 4:55 left. Tab Lardner added an empty-net goal, his second of the game. Rookie Jon Volp made 31 big saves as he recorded his third straight victory.
CLAYTON GUIDES THUNDER VERSUS BUCKS...AGAIN- For the fourth time in four meetings, the Thunder and the Bucks had their game settled on the game's final shot and for the fourth time in four meetings, Travis Clayton played a huge part. Clayton tied the game with 1:18 left (his third extra-attacker goal this season), before Laredo defeated the Thunder 3-2 in overtime on Saturday. When the teams met for the first time ever in November of 2002, Clayton tied that game late, before Laredo won on a power play goal with just 1:18 left. In each of the last two seasons Clayton has scored the overtime game-winner versus the Bucks. In four all-time meetings, each team has won two home games and each team has scored 12 goals.
NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER- The Thunder picked up eight wins in November, tying the franchise record for November victories. Wichita finished the month 8-2-2, for a winning percentage of .750, the second best November ever. The 1994-95 Thunder team went 8-2-0 in November, while the 2004-05 team went 8-4-0. Ironically, the Thunder have been outshot in their last 11 games, but have still gone 7-2-2. Wichita ranks 14th in the CHL for shots per game (30.5) and 12th for most shots allowed (37.06).
MOVIN' ON UP- With five points last week, Travis Clayton has now tied Paul Jackson for fourth place in CHL history, with 658 points. Clayton is currently fourth in the CHL with 25 points. Jason Duda is currently sixth in CHL history with 652 points and is third this season with 26 points. Duda leads the CHL with 20 assists. Joe Blaznek, meanwhile, continues to lead the CHL in numerous categories, including goals (16), points (29) and game-winners (4). Blaznek, who has a goal in 11 of 16 Thunder games, also ranks second in the CHL for power play goals (9) and shots on goal (86). Easily the CHL's best line, the trio has already combined for 80 points this season.
MCLEAN FINALLY ENDS STREAK- Fourth-year Thunder forward Ryan McLean was held off the scoreboard in Laredo, ending his scoring streak at a career-best nine games. McLean, Tab Lardner and Tyler Liebel have given Wichita the best second-line in the CHL, combining for 17 goals and 48 points. Lardner ranks second in the CHL for plus/minus at +10, while Liebel and McLean are tied for fourth at +9. Thunder defenseman David Lizotte leads the entire CHL with a rating of +13.
RECORD PACE- With eight goals in 16 games, defenseman Daniel Tetrault is on pace for 32 goals, including 24 power play goals. Both would shatter Thunder defenseman records, set last season by Paul Esdale, who notched 22 goals and 12 power play goals. Tetrault ranks third among all CHL defensemen with 19 points. Ryan Fairbarn is ninth among CHL defensemen, already having notched a career-high 12 points.
THUNDERBOLTS- Wichita's average attendance of 5,068 through 10 games, is their highest since the first 10 games of the 1997-98 season...The Thunder lead the CHL in wins (11), points (24), goals scored (68), goals per game (4.25), goal differential (+20), total assists (121), minors (188), penalty minutes (561), power play goals (29), power play percentage (19.6%) and shorthanded goals (7)...Wichita ranks second in the CHL with 27 majors...Rookie Chris Bain is tied for the CHL-lead with 10 majors...Ryan Coghlan has finished serving his three-game CHL suspension.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Wednesday, November 23- Tulsa 0 at Wichita 2 Win
Friday, November 25- Wichita 5 at Rio Grande Valley 3 Win
Saturday, November 26- Wichita 2 at Laredo 3 Loss (OT)
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Monday-Friday Practice 10:00 AM Kansas Coliseum
Friday, December 2- Wichita at Tulsa 7:35 PM 1240 AM KFH
Saturday, December 3- Tulsa at Wichita 7:05 PM
Central Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2005
- Lubbock Cotton Kings Weekly - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks Out & About - Laredo Bucks
- Oakley CHL Player & Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Bucks Bring Back Four Tickets For $40, Offer Starts Wednesday - Laredo Bucks
- Shots High, Goals Low - Amarillo Gorillas
- SteelHounds Weekly Report - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Thunder takes five out of six points - Wichita Thunder
- Bring On The Thunder - Tulsa Oilers
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.
