CHL Wichita Thunder

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November 13, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


MEMPHIS ROLLS OVER THUNDER- The RiverKings jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back, rolling to a 5-2 win on Thursday night in North Mississippi. Derek Landmesser led Memphis with three points as the RiverKings went 4-8 on the power play. Ryan Lauzon and Scott Rozendal scored Wichita's goals.

THUNDER COMES BACK ON BLAZERS- Trailing 2-0 after the first period, the Thunder exploded for three unanswered, even-strength goals, knocking off the Blazers 3-2 on Friday in Oklahoma City. Steve Dix, Scott Rozendal and Jason Duda scored the goals for Wichita, making a winner out of rookie goaltender Dan Giffin, who recorded 36 saves in relief of injured starter Sebastien Laplante. Unlike the night before, the Thunder killed off all seven Blazers' power play opportunities.

OILERS, PENALTIES STOP THUNDER- Trailing 2-0, the Thunder pulled ahead 3-2, but penalties doomed Wichita in a 6-3 home loss to Tulsa on Saturday night. Goals by Wichita's three veterans, Travis Clayton, Joe Blaznek and Jason Duda gave the Thunder a 3-2 lead before Tulsa tied it just 1:10 later on a goal by former Thunder forward David Beauregard. The Thunder were then given four straight penalties and Beauregard scored the hat trick goal while Wichita was shorthanded for 6:08 straight. Tulsa finished the night 3-12 on the power play, while Wichita went just 1-5, with a shorthanded goal. The Thunder fired a season-high 55 shots on goal, including 22 in the final period.

INJURY REPORT- Thunder star goaltender Sebastien Laplante was hospitalized in Oklahoma City Friday night after suffering a fluke eye injury in the first period, when Blazers' defenseman Dale Butland fired a slapshot which lodged in Laplante's mask. After being taken off the ice on a stretcher, Laplante was taken to St. Anthony's hospital, and then transferred to OU Medical Center, before being released early Saturday. Laplante received stitches around his left eye and had swelling and a fluid build up behind the eye. He will be re-evaluated today to determine how long he will be out of action, though he is expected to miss at least the next three games. Robert Lackey, who has served as emergency goaltender six times over the past few seasons, backed-up Dan Giffin on Saturday. Wichita added goaltender Andrew Martin today. Martin played last season for Fort Worth and Bossier-Shreveport. Defenseman Daniel Tetrault has missed the last four games with a leg infection, but could return to the lineup this weekend. Defenseman George Halkidis is on the 45-day injured reserve with mononucleosis, leaving the Thunder without two of their most experienced blueliners.

THUNDERBOLTS- Wichita leads the CHL, and ranks sixth among all 52 "AA" hockey teams in North America, averaging 7,394 fans per game...Joe Blaznek is tied for second in the CHL with 15 points...With 202, Blaznek now trails Mark Karpen by one point for fourth in Thunder history...Wichita leads the CHL with 118 minor penalties and ranks second with 356 penalty minutes...Wichita is one of three CHL teams yet to allow a shorthanded goal...The Thunder have scored just four third period goals, second fewest in the CHL.

PROMOTIONS- Visit the AT&T booth in the southwest corner of the Coliseum and sign-up for your chance to win an MP3 player at every home game this season The first 2500 fans in attendance this weekend will receive a letter "H" Thunder photo magnet, sponsored by Fantastic Sams. Jason Duda and Travis Clayton will be playing with pink hockey sticks this weekend. The sticks will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society, in lieu of Breast Cancer Awareness.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES:

Thursday, November 9- Wichita 2 at Memphis 5 Loss

Friday, November 10- Wichita 3 at Oklahoma City 2 Win

Saturday, November 11- Tulsa 6 at Wichita 3 Loss

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Tuesday, November 14- Wichita at Rocky Mountain 8:05 PM

Friday, November 17- Amarillo at Wichita 7:05 PM

Sunday, November 19- Wichita at Amarillo 5:05 PM

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Thursday-Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM

THUNDER METAL BLADE RECORDS PLAYER OF THE WEEK- Right Wing Joe Blaznek (1G, 3A, 4 PTS)

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2006


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