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CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly Update

February 2, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


Thunder Drops Two Over Weekend

The Wichita Thunder picked up one point last week, going 0-1-1 in two games. Wichita fell short in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Blazers on Friday night at the Kansas Coliseum. The Thunder rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to tie the game, highlighted by goals from Jordan Hack and Jason Duda. Blazers' defenseman Oriel McHugh scored the overtime game-winner at 3:26. Krister Toews saved 26 of 28 shots after replacing an injured Tim Boron at the start of the second period. Chris Shudo scored on a penalty shot in the second period for the Thunder's first goal. It was Wichita's third penalty shot of the season, and first penalty shot goal since March 5th, 2008 when Kyle Bruce scored on a penalty shot in overtime versus Mississippi.

Wichita lost another close game on Saturday, falling 2-1 to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at the Century Tel Center. The Mudbugs built a 2-0 lead in the second period, which was cut in half when Scott Rozendal knocked in a rebound past former Thunder goaltender Jon Horrell. Neither team scored in the third, allowing the Mudbugs to hold on for the win. The Thunder went 0 for 8 on the power play. Krister Toews took the loss in goal, saving 24 of 26.

Special Teams Ups and Downs

The Thunder is 0 for 23 on the power play during its last three games, and is just 2 for 74 in its last 10 games. This comes after a seven-game stretch in which the Thunder scored 10 goals on the man advantage. Wichita's power play is now ranked last in the CHL at 12.7%.

On the flipside, Wichita's penalty kill unit continues to succeed. The Thunder has not allowed more than one power play goal in a game since December 12th. In the 21 games since, Wichita's penalty kill is 102 for 112 (91.1%), best in the CHL. In 11 of those 21 games, the Thunder has been perfect on the penalty kill.

Scoreboard Ups and Downs

Wichita ranks last in the CHL in goals for (109) and goals per game (2.53). Wichita has scored one or fewer goals in six of its last nine games, and has been shutout five times this season.

Conversely, the Thunder is ranked 8th in the league in both goals allowed (137) and goals allowed per game (3.19). Since the arrival of Tim Boron on November 14th, the Thunder has averaged just 2.88 goals allowed in its last 33 games. In 23 of the 33 games, the Thunder has allowed three or fewer goals, while allowing four goals in eight of the other 10 contests.

Duda Close to Another Milestone

Jason Duda, the Thunder's all-time leader in games played, goals, assists, and points, is closing in on a CHL milestone. Duda needs one more assist to tie former Oklahoma City Blazer Hardy Sauter for third place on the league's all-time list.

Even Keel Thunder

The Thunder is on pace to shatter its franchise record for fewest penalty minutes in a season. The 2003-04 Thunder squad collected 1,558 PIMs, the lowest total in the Thunder's first 16 seasons. The current team is on pace for 1,394 penalty minutes. The Thunder is also on pace for 63 major penalties this season, which would also set a new team record for fewest in one season. That mark is held by the 2006-07 Thunder team that picked up 69 majors. By comparison, last year's Thunder team had 1,905 penalty minutes and 129 majors.

Close and Late

Wichita nearly won its first games this season when trailing after two periods when the Thunder forced overtime against Oklahoma City on Friday after entering the third period trailing 3-1. The Thunder is 0-25-2 when trailing after two periods this season. The Thunder is 4-14-3 in one-goal games, and two-goal games that include an empty-net goal.

Injury Update

Goaltender Tim Boron was removed from Friday's game against Oklahoma City due to injury and is considered day-to-day. Boron missed six games due to injury from January 9th-18th. Bryan Nathe has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, and is also considered day-to-day. Captain Brad Thompson has now missed 13 games due to an upper body injury and is currently on the 14-Day IR retroactive to January 2nd. Defenseman Jonathan Bernier is also on the 14-Day IR, retroactive to January 3rd, with a lower body injury. Mike Batovanja remains on the 30-Day IR but has resumed skating and is hoping to return before the end of the season.

Up Next

Wichita next plays on Tuesday night when they take on the Mississippi Riverkings at the DeSoto Civic Center. The Thunder is 1-3-0 against the Riverkings this season. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. with coverage at www.wichitathunder.com Wichita returns to the Coliseum on Friday when the Thunder hosts the Rocky Mountain Rage. The first 1,000 fans in attendance to Friday's game will receive a set of 2008-09 Thunder trading cards, courtesy of Case and Associates. Keystone Light cans will also be sold for just $1.50 at the Coliseum. Saturday, the Thunder hosts the Rapid City Rush and will feature the second annual "Pink at the Rink" night, sponsored by the Mary Kay Ash Foundation. A jersey auction benefitting Mary Kay will take place during the game. A postgame party will follow Saturday's contest at the Park City Applebee's located south of the Coliseym on I-135. Both Friday and Saturday's games begin at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.

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