CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Takes Two of Three

January 18, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


The Wichita Thunder took two of three in recent action and has won seven of their last 10 games. Wichita returned from the all-star break on Friday, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Texas Brahmas. The Thunder battled back from three separate one-goal deficits to tie the game before Mick Lawrence scored late in the third to provide the final margin. Matt Robinson, Jesse Bennefield, and Mike Looby scored for the Thunder. Marc-Antoine Gelinas made a season-high 35 saves on 39 attempts in the loss.

Wichita bounced back with a 6-3 win versus Arizona on Saturday night. Matt Robinson scored twice in a game that the Thunder never trailed. Aaron Davis netted the Thunder's first shorthanded goal of the season and finished with three points. Lance Galbraith also had three points while Jesse Bennefield had a goal and an assist. Marc-Antoine Gelinas saved 33 of 36 in the win.

The Thunder clipped the Quad City Mallards 3-2 on Monday night at the iWireless Center. Lance Galbraith scored the game-winning goal with just 67 seconds left in regulation and finished the game +3. Jesse Bennefield and Bobby Hughes were also +3 with Bennefield scoring a goal and two assists. Marty Magers saved 13 of 15 to earn the victory.

Offensive Thunder

The Thunder ranks third in the league in offense, averaging 3.80 goals per game. Wichita has scored four or more goals 20 times in their last 31 contests.

Bennefield Among League's Best

Jesse Bennefield scored three points in the Thunder's win at Quad City on Monday and now ranks tied for seventh in the CHL with 47 points this season. Bennefield leads the Thunder with 16 multi-point games.

Robinson Lighting the Lamp

Left wing Matt Robinson is fourth in the league with 21 goals scored. Robinson had a seven-game point streak snapped on Monday and has 22 points in his last 15 contests. Robinson also scored a natural hat trick in the CHL All-Star Game on January 12th, helping the CHL All-Stars to an 11-6 win over the Rapid City Rush.

Gale Still Hot in January

A.J. Gale, the CHL's Player of the Month for December, is still collecting points at a high rate. Gale had a seven-game point streak end on Monday, and has 29 points in his last 21 games.

Galbraith on Fire

Veteran left wing Lance Galbraith is on a four-game point streak and has 18 points in his last 15 games. Galbraith scored a Gordie Howe Hat Trick on January 8th versus Bloomington.

Defensive Partners Shine

Defensive partners Andrew Martens and Kory Scoran continue to find themselves on the CHL leaderboards. Martens is seventh among blue liners with 25 points and has 20 points in his last 22 games. Scoran is tied for 16th among defensemen with 20 points and is tied for second with nine goals.

Looby Streaking

Defenseman Mike Looby is on a five-game point streak in which he has two goals and three assists. Looby is also +4 during the streak, finishing even or better in all five games.

Gelinas on Track

Rookie goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas is 5-2-0 over his last seven starts. During this stretch, Gelinas has a 2.15 goals against average (15 goals allowed in 418 minutes played) and a .930 save percentage (199 for 214). Gelinas ranks ninth in the league with a 2.80 goals against average for the season.

Penalty Kill Improvement

The Thunder's penalty kill is 38 for its last 42 (90.4%) over its last 10 games.

Three Games Over

The Thunder snapped another long standing streak on Monday, moving their record three games above the .500 mark for the first time since November 5th, 2006 (4-1-1). Other streaks the Thunder has broken this season include winning four or more consecutive games for the first time since the end of the 2005-06 season, earning a win against the Missouri Mavericks who won the first 11 head-to-head meetings between the clubs, and posting more wins than total losses in-season for the first time since November 2006.

Roster Notes

Left wing Troy Schwab is on the 10-Day IR. Center Matt Hubbauer is on the 30-Day IR. Last week, the Thunder acquired left wing Dustin Donaghy from the Allen Americans in exchange for future considerations.

Catch the Thunder All Season

All 66 Thunder games are broadcast on either 93.5 FM KWME or 1550 AM KKLE. You can also listen to each game on the internet at www.kleyam.com Emerson Biggin's West (located at 21st and Maize) is the Thunder's official watch party sponsor of all road games. Thunder food and drink specials will be offered throughout the season.

Up Next

The Thunder has a busy schedule ahead, playing four games in five nights beginning Friday night at Missouri at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Sports Radio 1550 KKLE and Oldies 93.5 KWME, as well as worldwide at www.kleyam.com

The Thunder hosts the Mavericks Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. for Pack-the-House Night, presented by Furniture on Consignment and Clear Channel Radio. The Thunder will be wearing special sweaters that will be auctioned off during the game to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation© of Kansas.

On Sunday, the Laredo Bucks make their first visit to Wichita since March 7th, 2005 for a 5:05 p.m. match. Sunday is JP Weigand Buy-In Night. Fans can stop by any participating JP Weigand agent's office to pick up a complimentary Upper Level voucher. Following the game, fans can meet their favorite Thunder players at Emerson Biggin's West, located at 21st and Maize.

The Rapid City Rush visit on Tuesday, January 25th. KFH Radio presents Pay What You Weigh Night. Fans can receive Yellow and Green Level seating for just one penny per pound to the 7:05 p.m. game ($2.00 facility fee not included).

For tickets to the Thunder's upcoming games, call the INTRUST Bank Arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT, or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com.

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2011


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