CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder weekly

Published on January 2, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


THUNDER COMEBACK FALLS SHORT IN COLORADO- Trailing 4-0 in the third period, the Thunder outshot the Eagles 16-6 and scored a pair of goals, but fell 4-2 on Friday night in Colorado. Travis Clayton scored both goals for the Thunder, who also had a goal by Scott Rozendal waived off.

WEATHER FORCES POSTPONEMENT- Due to the snow storm in Colorado, the Thunder had to find an alternate route back to Wichita, forcing the postponement of Saturday's home game versus Amarillo. Due to numerous road closures the Thunder left Fort Collins at 9:00 AM Saturday, traveled north thru Cheyenne, Wyoming, and then took I-80 East thru Nebraska. The Thunder finally arrived back in Wichita at 10:35 PM. Saturday's postponed game has not yet been rescheduled.

THUNDER SHUTS DOWN OILERS- The Thunder jumped out to a first period lead and never looked back, rolling to a 4-1 home win on New Year's Eve over Tulsa, the CHL's highest scoring team. Joe Blaznek led the Thunder with three assists on goals by Kris Wiebe, Ryan Lauzon, and Scott Rozendal. Daniel Tetrault also added a goal, making a winner out of goaltender Sebastien Laplante. The win was Wichita's first of the season when a game has been decided by three or more goals (1-6-0) and moved Wichita's all-time New Year's Eve record to 10-4-1. The Thunder did not allow a shorthanded goal, ending a streak of four games.

THUNDER ROAD GAME RESCHEDULED- The Thunder game at Tulsa, snowed out on Friday, December 22 when the Thunder were stuck in Colorado the first time, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 6 at 7:05 PM.

FEWER PENALTIES, BETTER PENALTY KILLING- After spending most of the season in the penalty box, the Thunder has smartened up lately, taking fewer penalties and thus vastly improving the penalty kill. Over the last five games, the Thunder has been shorthanded just 21 times and has killed off 20 of those power play opportunities, moving up to sixth in the CHL at 84.5%.

INJURY REPORT- Forward Ryan McLean missed Sunday's game and is questionable for this weekend. McLean, second in Thunder history with 934 penalty minutes, is just one point shy of 100 for his career. The Thunder, who have an open roster spot, have played with a full 18-man lineup just six times this season.

MILESTONES- Veteran Travis Clayton scored two goals on Friday, passing Don Parsons for fourth on the all-time CHL goal-scoring list with 291. Clayton now needs four goals to pass Luc Beausoleil for third place in CHL history. Jason Duda is close behind, with 287 goals. Ryan Lauzon is two points shy of 100 for his career. Scott Rozendal has matched his totals of last season with 14 points in just 27 games. Last season he scored 14 points in 49 games.

THUNDERBOLTS- Matt Coughlin ranks second in the CHL with 11 majors and is third overall with 133 penalty minutes...Daniel Tetrault is third among CHL defensemen with five power play goals...Wichita is still last in the CHL, averaging 30 shots per game.

PROMOTIONS- Thunder players will be signing autographs at Best Buy today and tomorrow. Troy Barnes, Andrew Martin and Jeremy Koning will be at Best Buy EAST on TUESDAY from 6:30-7:30 PM, while Joe Blaznek, Kris Wiebe and Kim Brandvold will be at Best Buy WEST on WEDNESDAY from 6:30-7:30 PM. Friday's game is the Taco Bueno and Fox 104.5, 13th annual sports auction, as well as Fantastic Sam's "N" Magnet Night. Saturday is Sonic Thunderdog's 14th Birthday Party.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES:

Friday, December 29- Wichita 2 at Colorado 4 Loss

Saturday, December 30- Amarillo at Wichita Postponed

Sunday, December 31- Tulsa 1 at Wichita 4 Win

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Friday, January 5- Odessa at Wichita 7:05 PM

Saturday, January 6- Oklahoma City at Wichita 7:05 PM

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Tuesday-Thursday Wichita Ice Center 10:00 AM

Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM

METAL BLADE RECORDS PLAYER OF THE WEEK-

Goaltender Sebastien Laplante 2GP, 1-1-0, 2.50 GAA

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2007


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