Thunder Weekly - Season Wrap (April 11th)
Published on April 11, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Season Comes to a Close
The Wichita Thunder had their season come to an end last week, falling to the Missouri Mavericks in the Opening Round of the playoffs. The Thunder led the best-of-five series 2-1, but Missouri held on for a 2-1 victory in Game Four on Tuesday night at the INTRUST Bank Arena to even the series. Mavericks' goaltender Rob Nolan stopped 38 of 39 shots to earn the win. Jesse Bennefield scored the Thunder's lone goal, while Marc-Antoine Gelinas was 22 of 24 in the loss. It marked just the second time all season the Thunder lost in regulation to a Turner Conference opponent. The other loss was also at the hands of the Mavericks when Nolan posted a 31-save shutout on December 27th.
Wichita fell in Game Five by a final score of 5-4 on Wednesday in Missouri. Nathan O'Nabigon scored what proved to be the series-winning goal with 4:24 left in regulation, spoiling a tremendous comeback by Wichita. Led by three power play goals in the third period, the Thunder rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game. After O'Nabigon put Missouri back in front, the Thunder had both a power play and an extra attacker in the final minute, but could not re-tie the game. Daniel Tetrault scored twice for the Thunder, while Jesse Bennefield, A.J. Gale, and Brent Cullaton each had two assists. Marty Magers, who took over in the second period following a game misconduct charged to Marc-Antoine Gelinas, was 12 for 14 in the loss. Gelinas saved 12 of 15.
Martens' Stellar Season Continues
Thunder defenseman Andrew Martens was signed by the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters over the weekend, making his debut on Sunday in a 5-4 shootout win at Rochester. Martens was +1 with two PIM. It is the second stint in the AHL for Martens, who split time with Toronto and Manitoba in 2008-09.
During the final week of the regular season, Martens was named to the 2011 All-CHL Team and was also named the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman. It marked the first time since 2005 that a Thunder player earned either distinction. Martens finished the regular season second among CHL blue liners with 54 points and tied for fourth with 15 goals.
Playoff Leaders
Jesse Bennefield, A.J. Gale, Brent Cullaton, and Aaron Davis each had five points to lead the Thunder during the Opening Round series versus Missouri. Tetrault and Matt Robinson tied for the team lead with three goals. Travis Wight ranked first on the Thunder with a +3 plus/minus rating. Andrew Martens collected a team-high 23 PIM, including a fighting major during Game Two.
Year One of New Era is Complete
The Thunder nearly quadrupled their total number of wins from one year ago, posting a 34-26-6 (.561) record in their first season under Head Coach Kevin McClelland. It was the Thunder's first winning season since 2005-06, and their first playoff appearance since 2007.
Thunder Finishes Third in Attendance Race
The Wichita Thunder finished the 2010-11 regular season third in the CHL attendance standings, averaging 5,342 fans per game. It is the sixth consecutive year in which the Thunder has finished third or better.
Team Awards
Prior to the their regular season finale on March 27th, the Thunder handed out their 2011 team awards. Travis Wight was presented with the Thunder's Community Service Award. A.J. Gale earned Most Improved Player honors. Chris Greene took home Lewis Street Glass Rattler of the Year. Aaron Davis was named the Thunder's Unsung Hero. Andrew Martens was awarded Thunder Defenseman of the Year. Matt Robinson was named the team's Most Valuable Player.
Thunder Ironmen
Four players skated in all 66 of the Thunder's regular season games. They were Chris Greene, Jesse Bennefield, Travis Wight, and Aaron Davis. The quartet also appeared in all five of the Thunder's playoff games.
Top-25
The Thunder ended the regular season with four players that ranked in the CHL's top-25 in points. Right wing Jesse Bennefield led the Thunder with 75 points, and tied for 12th overall in the league. Linemates Matt Robinson and Aaron Davis tied for 15th overall with 72 points apiece. Right wing A.J. Gale finished 22nd in the league with 64 points.
Other League Leaders
Left wing Matt Robinson finished the season second in the CHL with 40 goals, while right wing Jesse Bennefield tied for seventh with 35. Kory Scoran's 12 goals were ninth-most among defensemen. Forward Dustin Donaghy finished fourth among CHL rookies with 16 goals. Defenseman Steven Kaunisto tied for fourth among rookies in plus/minus at +10. Rookie goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas tied for third overall in the league with 26 wins and tied for second with four shutouts. The four shutouts were also a new Thunder single-season record. Right wing Robin Richards finished seventh overall with 189 PIM.
Key Breakthroughs
The Thunder experienced several breakthroughs during the 2010-11 season. Wichita won six consecutive games from late-October into early-November, marking their first winning streak of more than three games since the end of the 2005-06 season. The six-game winning streak also followed an 0-4-0 start which gave the Thunder more wins than total losses in-season for the first time since November of 2006. After losing their first 11 head-to-head meetings against the Missouri Mavericks, Wichita finally captured a win over the Mavs on November 6th. Wichita would finish the regular season 7-4-0 against Missouri. In mid-January, the Thunder also upped their record to three games over .500 for the first time since November of 2006.
Roster Notes
Defenseman Mike Looby and center Bobby Hughes finished the season on the 10-Day IR. Center Matt Hubbauer finished on the 30-Day IR. Left wing Matt Robinson was scratched from Game Five on Wednesday due to injury.
Up Next
The Thunder opens the 2011-12 season in mid-October. For information on season tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL, or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com
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