Thunder Weekly Update
Published on November 24, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Thunder Drop Three
The Thunder lost 4-2 to the Texas Brahmas at the Kansas Coliseum on Friday night. Trailing 2-0 in the second, Chris Greene scored at 10:32 to make it a one-goal game. Greene, who had missed two games due to injury, was playing for the first time since November 8th. After Texas pulled ahead at 3-1, Pascal Bedard scored a power play goal at 10:12 in the third period, once again pulling Wichita within one. However, Scott Sheppard scored his second goal of the game at 15:04, giving the Brahmas their third two-goal lead of the night. Wichita outshot Texas 35 to 22, including 17 to 5 in the third period. Bedard's power play goal was Wichita's 13th in their last 10 games.
The Thunder dropped a 3-1 decision to the Oklahoma City Blazers at home on Saturday. For the second straight game, the Thunder fell behind 2-0, with the Blazers taking the lead into the third period. Troy Ofukany scored the Thunder's first shorthanded goal of the year at 14:20 in the third, but the Blazers regained a two-goal lead at 16:09 on a goal from Jeff MacDermid. Tim Boron made his Thunder debut, saving 28 of 31 shots in the loss. Wichita set a new season-high with 44 penalty minutes, including fighting majors for Luke Hunter, Jonathan Bernier, Andrew Davis, and Scott Rozendal. Wichita went 0 for 8 on the power play.
Wichita lost to Tulsa 4-2 on Sunday evening at the BOK Center. Scott Rozendal and Troy Ofukany each scored for the Thunder, while Jason Lawmaster netted two goals for Tulsa. With the Oilers leading 3-2 late in the third, Kevin Hansen scored an empty net goal with 31 seconds left on the clock to finish off the win for Tulsa. Greg Cassista earned a fighting major, the first of his career. Wichita went 0 for 9 on the power play, including nearly seven consecutive minutes on the man advantage in the second period. Wichita outshot Tulsa 28-27, marking the third straight game the Thunder have outshot their opponents.
Team Leaders
After 15 games, Jason Duda and Scott Rozendal lead the Thunder with 11 points each, with both having four goals and seven assists. Duda leads the team with a +2 +/- rating. Jason Tessier's 32 penalty minutes are most on the club.
Penalty Highs and Lows
Wichita was charged with just two penalties, totaling four minutes on Friday, easily a new season-low. The following night, Wichita cranked out 44 PIM, their most all season.
Home Woes
While Wichita is a respecable 3-5-0 on the road, but the Thunder are off to their worst home start in their 17-year history. Wichita is 1-5-1 after seven home games. The 2002-03 Thunder squad got off to a 1-4-2 start at the Kansas Coliseum.
Shots Not Adding Up
Wichita has outshot their opponents in three consecutive games, including a 35 to 22 margin over Texas on Friday. However, the Thunder went 0-3-0 in those games, and is 0-4-1 this season when outshooting their opponents.
Power Play Stalled This Weekend
After scoring 13 power play goals in 10 games from October 24th through November 21st, the Thunder is 0 for its last 17 on the power play spanning the last two games, including a missed opportunity on a seven-minute power play on Sunday at Tulsa.
Injury Update
Wichita has been slowed by injuries over the last two weeks. Over the weekend, Forward Matt Byrnes and defenseman Connor MacDonald were placed on the 14-day Injured Reserve, while Chris Greene and Stan Yanchishyn returned from day-to-day injuries. Luke Hunter suffered an eye injury during Saturday's game vs. Oklahoma City. Hunter's status for Wednesday's game is uncertain. Chris Shudo missed two games before returning to the lineup on Sunday at Tulsa.
Up Next
The Thunder battles the Oilers at home on Wednesday at the Coliseum. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Wichita heads back to the BOK Center on Friday, before returning home on Saturday to host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. For tickets, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL.
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