CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly

Published on December 19, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


THUNDER DROPS RIVERKINGS- After falling behind 1-0, Wichita's big three took charge, scoring four straight goals and leading the Thunder to a 4-1 home win over the Memphis RiverKings on Tuesday. Joe Blaznek led the Thunder with two goals and an assist, while Jason Duda and Travis Clayton added a goal and an assist each. Goaltender Sebastian Laplante picked up his 10th victory, making 30 saves, as the Thunder moved their home record to a CHL-best 11-1-2.

BLAZERS POUND THUNDER- Oklahoma City jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back, taking a 6-1 victory over the Thunder on Friday night at the Ford Center. Joe Blaznek scored Wichita's lone goal. In five games versus the Blazers this season the home team has won all five. Wichita is 3-0-0 at home, 0-2-0 at Oklahoma City.

TULSA EDGES THUNDER- The Thunder fell behind 3-0 and 5-2, but could not complete the comeback, falling 5-4 in Tulsa on Saturday Night. Trailing 5-2 in the third, Ryan Fairbarn cut the deficit to two. Then, with the goaltender pulled, David Lizotte scored Wichita's fifth extra attacker goal this season, however; this time Wichita could not force the tie. Fairbarn and rookie Kris Wiebe led the Thunder with a goal and an assist each, while Jason Duda chipped in three assists. Kris Wiebe is the Metal Blade Records Thunder Player of the Week (www.metalblade.com).

VETERANS ALONE AT THE TOP- For the first time in league history, the Thunder hold the CHL's top three scorers. Joe Blaznek, who scored a goal in all three games this week, leads the CHL in four categories: points (40), goals (24), power play goals (14) and game-winning goals (6). Travis Clayton and Jason Duda sit one point behind Blaznek with 39 points each, and are tied for the CHL lead, with 28 assists. Clayton is currently riding a 12-game assist streak and a 13-game scoring streak, both the longest streaks in the CHL this season. With 665 career points, Duda is now just four points behind Hardy Sauter for fourth place in CHL history. Clayton sits in third all-time, with 672 career points.

ROSTER UPDATE- Thunder defenseman Tyler Kuntz retired today to pursue a job opportunity overseas. With Kuntz' departure, defenseman Brandon Cox is expected to be activated from 45-day injured reserve and return to the lineup on Thursday in Bossier City. Cox has missed the last 18 games. Forward Tyler Liebel, who missed the past two games, is also expected back in the lineup on Thursday.

TEDDY BEAR TOSS- The Thunder urge all fans to bring a new teddy bear to the game this Friday when the Thunder host the Fort Worth Brahmas, and throw the bears on the ice following the first Thunder goal. The bears will be distributed to needy children in Wichita throughout the rest of the season. All fans who bring a teddy bear will receive a coupon good for buy one get one tickets for the Thunder home games on December 27th and 29th. The Thunder would like to beat their single-game record of 714 teddy bears.

THUNDERBOLTS- If the Thunder win both games this week and Colorado loses twice to Tulsa, head coach Mark French will be named head coach of the CHL Northern Conference All-Star team...Daniel Tetrault ranks second among CHL defensemen for both points (27) and goals (8)...Wichita leads the CHL in goals per game (4.04), power play goals (40), power play percentage (19.3%) and shorthanded goals (9)...The Thunder are 14th in the CHL for both shots on goal and shots allowed...Rookie Chris Bain ranks second in the CHL with 14 major penalties.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2005


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