Thunder Takes Two of Three
March 7, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
The Wichita Thunder earned four of six points last week, beginning with a 7-6 shootout win versus Colorado on Tuesday. Troy Schwab finished the night with three points, including the game-winner in the shootout. Dustin Donaghy had two goals and an assist. Jesse Bennefield and Lance Galbraith each had two points. Marc-Antoine Gelinas was 4 for 4 in the shootout and 26 of 32 in regulation and overtime to earn the victory.
The Thunder topped the Rapid City Rush 3-2 on the road on Friday night. Matt Robinson scored two goals to lead a second-period comeback. Kevin Beech saved 33 of 35 to earn the win. Dustin Donaghy also scored for the Thunder.
Rapid City earned a split of the weekend series with a comeback of their own, winning 2-1 on Saturday night in South Dakota. Konrad Reeder and Jamie Carroll scored 2:03 apart in the third to erase a 1-0 Wichita lead. Marc-Antoine Gelinas played well in the loss, saving 33 of 35. Lance Galbraith scored the Thunder's lone goal.
Thunder Clinches Playoff Berth
With Evansville's loss to Fort Wayne on Sunday, the Thunder officially clinched its first playoff berth since the 2006-07 season. It is the Thunder's 10th playoff appearance in franchise history.
McClelland in Playoffs Again, Joins Select Group
First-year Thunder Head Coach is in the Central Hockey League playoffs for a fifth consecutive season. McClelland has guided the Mississippi RiverKings and Colorado Eagles to the playoffs twice each, reaching the President's Cup Finals with Colorado in 2009. McClelland is now one of only four coaches in CHL history to lead three different teams to the playoffs. Bill McDonald, Chris Stewart, and Todd Lalonde are the others.
Offensive Thunder
The Thunder ranks second in the league in offense, averaging 3.76 goals per game.
Thunder Ironmen
Five players have skated in all 55 games this season for the Thunder. They are Chris Greene, Jesse Bennefield, Travis Wight, Aaron Davis, and Lance Galbraith.
Home Ice Advantage
The Thunder has one of the best home records in the league at 17-8-4. Wichita has played exceptionally well at the INTRUST Bank Arena when hosting Turner Conference opponents. The Thunder is 11-1-2 at home against the Turner, having lost in regulation just once.
'Turnering' it Around
A big reason for Wichita's success this season has been its record versus the top three returning teams in the conference. Wichita is a combined 12-5-2 against Colorado, Rapid City, and Missouri, with winning records against all three. The Thunder was 0-24-3 against those three clubs last year.
Bonus Hockey
The Thunder played 21 consecutive games decided in regulation from November 26th-January 17th. Since then, Wichita has reached overtime or a shootout in seven of their last 20 contests.
The Long March
Wichita's final 11 games will be played in a span of 20 calendar days. Wichita has three stretches of three games in three nights remaining on their schedule.
30 Goals
Both Matt Robinson (35) and Jesse Bennefield (31) have scored 30 goals in a Thunder sweater this season. Wichita's last 30-goal campaign was by Travis Clayton (30) in 2006-07. Wichita has had just one 20-goal scorer (Jason Duda, 2008-09) over the last three years. A.J. Gale joins Robinson and Bennefield as Thunder players with 20-plus goals in 2010-11, with Aaron Davis (19) and Andrew Martens (14) within in reach.
Schwab Back in Full Force
Since missing 10 games during the month of January due to injury, center/right wing Troy Schwab has quickly returned to form. The second-year pro has 15 points in his last 12 games, and 42 total points in 43 contests for the season.
Bennefield Among CHL's Best
Right wing Jesse Bennefield ranks 13th in the league with 67 points and tied for ninth with 31 goals. Bennefield has 90 goals and 197 points in 169 CHL games over the last three seasons.
Robinson Lighting the Lamp
Left wing Matt Robinson is tied for third in the league with 35 goals. Robinson trails Texas' Chad Woollard (39) and Rapid City's Ryan Menei (36) in the CHL's scoring race. Paul Jackson is the only Thunder player to ever lead the league in goals, scoring 71 in 1993-94.
Dynamic D-Man
Defenseman Andrew Martens is tied for third among CHL blue liners with 47 points and third with 14 goals. Paul Esdale led all CHL defensemen with 22 goals and 69 points in 2004-05.
Rookies Excelling
All three of Wichita's rookies have produced for the Thunder this season. Forward Dustin Donaghy is tied for fifth among rookies with 12 goals. Defenseman Steven Kaunisto ranks third with a +13 plus/minus rating. Goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas is tied for fourth overall in the league with 22 victories, and ranks second with four shutouts.
Roster Notes
Center Bobby Hughes was activated from the 10-Day IR last week. Defenseman Jason Goulet was placed on the 10-Day IR. Marty Magers is on Goaltender IR. Left wing Brent Cullaton is on team suspension. A.J. Gale has been scratched the last three games.
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 week ahead, beginning with a road game at Tulsa on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
The Thunder returns home on Friday, March 11th to host the Mississippi RiverKings at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Youth Jersey Night, presented by Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Blockbuster Video, and 105.3 The Buzz. The first 1,000 fans at the game ages 12 and under receive a free youth jersey.
The Thunder plays at Allen on Saturday night and returns home Sunday evening to host the Quad City Mallards at 5:05 p.m. Sunday is American Family Insurance Buy-In Night. Fans can stop by any participating American Family Insurance Agent's office for a free Upper Level ticket.
For tickets to this weekend's games, call the arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com For information on playoff tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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