CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly

Published on November 20, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


RAGE SILENCES THUNDER- Rocky Mountain picked up five even strength goals, rolling past the Thunder, 5-2, on Tuesday night in Colorado. Ryan McLean and Kris Wiebe scored Wichita's goals, both on the power play.

MARTIN, THUNDER TAME GORILLAS- Goaltender Andrew Martin, making his first Thunder start, made 37 saves, leading the Thunder to a 3-1 home victory over Amarillo on Friday. Joe Blaznek, Travis Clayton and Kris Wiebe scored Wichita's goals, all at even strength.

THUNDER DOOMED IN FINAL 10 MINUTES- The Gorillas broke open a 2-2 tie with three third period goals, knocking off the Thunder 5-2 in Amarillo on Sunday. Jeremy Koning gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead with his first professional goal, before Amarillo scored two power play goals. Jason Duda tied the game in the third period, but Brent Hughes power play goal put Amarillo ahead to stay. The Gorillas added an even-strength tally and an empty-netter. Andrew Martin took the loss, making 31 saves.

INJURY REPORT- Thunder goaltender Sebastien Laplante, who has missed the last four games with an eye injury, hopes to resume practicing on Tuesday. Defenseman Daniel Tetrault, who has missed the last seven games with a leg infection, hopes to return to the lineup on December 1. Wichita is 1-3-0 without Laplante in the lineup, 2-4-1 without Tetrault. Defenseman George Halkidis, who has missed the last eight games with mononucleosis, will remain on the 45-day injured reserve until December 15.

HIT OR MISS SPECIAL TEAMS- Wichita's special teams have been a mystery the last six games. After scoring 13 power play goals in their first six games (4-1-1 record), the Thunder have scored just four power play goals in the last six (2-4-0 record). Meanwhile, the Thunder have not allowed a power play goal in three of the last six games (2-1-0 record); however, in the other three games, they have allowed a total of 10 (all losses). Overall, the Thunder ranks 11th in the CHL on the power play (15.2%) and ninth in the CHL for penalty killing (83.8%).

MILESTONES- Veteran Jason Duda will play in his 591st career game on Wednesday, passing former Oklahoma City Blazer Hardy Sauter for second in CHL history. Former Blazer Joe Burton holds the CHL record with 708 games played. Thunder veteran Travis Clayton ranks fourth all-time with 582 games played. Thunder veteran Joe Blaznek passed Mark Karpen over the weekend for fourth in Thunder history, with 205 points. Blaznek needs two assists to pass Karpen for eighth in Thunder history. He also needs just three more goals to become the fourth Thunder player to record 100 goals. Blaznek ranks sixth in the CHL with 18 points and is fifth overall with 62 shots on goal.

THUNDERBOLTS- Wichita ranks fifth among all 52 "AA" hockey teams in North America, averaging 7,180 fans per game...Wichita leads the CHL with 441 penalty minutes and ranks third with 143 minor penalties...Matt Coughlin (2nd, 66), Ryan McLean (6th, 57) and Steve Dix 11th, 52) rank among the CHL leaders for penalty minutes...Wichita is one of three CHL teams yet to allow a shorthanded goal...The Thunder have just 97 second period shots and have scored just seven third period goals, second fewest in the CHL...Wichita is 0-5-0 when trailing after two periods.

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. This Wednesday's game is sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods and Jump Mobile.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES:

Tuesday, November 14- Wichita 2 at Rocky Mountain 5 Loss

Friday, November 17- Amarillo 1 at Wichita 3 Win

Sunday, November 19- Wichita 2 at Amarillo 5 Loss

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Wednesday, November 22- Oklahoma City at Wichita 7:05 PM

Friday, November 24- Wichita at Memphis 7:05 PM

Saturday, November 25- Wichita at Bossier-Shreveport 7:05 PM

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Monday- Kansas Coliseum, 5:00 PM

Tuesday-Wednesday- Kansas Coliseum, 10:00 AM

METAL BLADE RECORDS PLAYER OF THE WEEK-

Goaltender Andrew Martin (3 GP, 1-1-0, 2.11 GAA)

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 20, 2006


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