CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly

December 12, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


LAST WEEK'S GAMES-

Thurs., Dec. 8th Wichita 3 Allen 5

Fri., Dec. 9th Wichita 2 Texas 3

Sat. Dec. 10th WICHITA 2 Texas 1

**Caps designates home

THIS WEEK'S GAMES-

Tuesday, Dec. 13th Wichita vs. Fort Wayne 7:05 pm

Fri., Dec. 16th Wichita vs. Rio Grande Valley 7:05 pm

Sat. Dec. 17th Wichita vs. Rio Grande Valley 7:05 pm

Sun, Dec. 18th Wichita at Texas 4:00 pm

RADIO- Tuesday, Dec. 13th 92.7 KWME, 1550 KKLE

Fri., Dec. 16th 1550 KKLE

Sat., Dec. 17th 92.7 KWME, 1550 KKLE

Sun., Dec. 18th 92.7 KWME, 1550 KKLE

**Pre-game begins 20 minutes prior to start of all games. All games can be heard on www.wichitathunder.com or on your smart phone with the Tune In Radio App using 1550 KKLE**

THUNDER SALVAGE 2- Last week, Wichita traveled to the Dallas/Fort Worth area to take on the Allen Americans and the Texas Brahmas. Wichita has struggled on the road at both locations, going 0-13-0 against the two franchises. On Thursday in a battle for first place, Wichita jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Allen on the strength of two first period goals from Matt Robinson. Allen answered back with three straight goals before Justin Sawyer scored his first of the season, tying the game at three. Allen netted two power play goals in the final period to take a 5-3 win and moved three points ahead of the Thunder. On Friday night, Wichita visited the Texas Brahmas for the first time this season and for the second straight game couldn't hold onto a two goal lead. Alex Bourret scored on a penalty shot just 47 seconds into the first period and Kevin Seibel scored his first of the year to give Wichita a 2-0 advantage. The Brahmas then scored the next three, including the game winner with 48 seconds remaining in the third and held on for the 3-2 win. The two teams met on Saturday night in Wichita and the Thunder was able to salvage two out of a possible six points on the weekend, winning 2-1. Despite a season low seven shots through two periods, Matt Summers scored the game winner halfway through the third period and Wichita improved to 13-7-0 overall.

FRENCH DIP- Alex Bourret has the knack of putting his name on the score-sheet. The Drummondville, PQ native added three more points over the weekend and leads the team with 23 (7g, 16a). Bourret and Aaron Davis are tied for the team lead with seven multi-point games. Bourret has scored three points four times and has been held without a point just six times all season.

CLOSE TO THE SUMMIT- 12-year veteran Daniel Tetrault is close to reaching the top of the mountain for a Thunder defenseman. Tetrault is just one point shy (168) of former Thunder defenseman Sean O'Reilly for the franchise lead in most points scored by a Thunder defenseman. O'Reilly played 311 games from 1997-02, scoring 169 points during that span while Tetrault has played 261 games in a Thunder uniform.

HOLDING THE FORT- Wichita netminder Adam Russo rebounded nicely Saturday night against Texas to earn his ninth win of the season. After allowing the game winner Friday night with less than a minute to go, Russo stood tall despite not being tested very often Saturday, making 19 of 20 saves. He made a tremendous glove save in the second period on a two-on-one as he came across the crease to keep the puck out of the net. Russo is in third place with nine wins, tied for sixth with a 2.73 GAA and in fifth place in minutes played, logging 792:16.

MOST EXCITING PLAY IN HOCKEY- Alex Bourret's penalty shot goal was Wichita's first successful one this season. The Thunder has had three total this year, one from Aaron Davis and the other from Dustin Donaghy. The most penalty shots Wichita has had in one season dates back to last year with seven opportunities. Wichita has yet to have a penalty shot against this season.

RESURGENCE- Matt Robinson has regained his scoring touch. After going nine games without a goal, Robinson (8g, 10a) scored two more on Thursday night. Robinson has scored in four of the last seven games and has registered a point in five of the last seven. Robinson led Wichita a year ago with 39 goals, which was a career high for the Surrey, BC native.

SPECIAL TEAMS- Last week, Wichita's power play continued to struggle, going zero-for-10 in three games. Overall, Wichita is in 11th place in the CHL, going 16-for-93 and at a rate of 17.2%. The penalty killing unit allowed two goals to Allen, but was able to go a perfect six-for-six against Texas on Friday and Saturday night combined. The Thunder penalty kill is currently in 12th overall, killing off 73 of 94 chances, which is good for 77.7%. On home ice, Wichita has only allowed eight power play goals, killing off 37 of 48 chances and at a clip of 82.2%.

THUNDERBOLTS... Wichita is averaging 3.45 goals a contest, good for fifth place... Wichita is first overall in shots allowed (26.20/game) and has given up a CHL-low 156 shots in the third period all season...The Thunder has only allowed 17 goals against in the final period...Wichita is tied for second with six shorthanded goals while being one of just two teams to not allow a goal shorthanded...Jarred Mohr leads the CHL in plus/minus (+17)...Aaron Davis is second in the CHL with four game winning goals and fourth in the CHL in shots (87)...Andrew Martens is in second place in scoring for defenseman (6g, 11a)...Erick Lizon is tied for the league lead with seven majors... In one goal games, Wichita is 7-3-0... When leading after one, The Thunder is 6-2-0... Tied after two periods, Wichita is 5-2-0...When outshooting the opponent, Wichita is 9-3-0... The Thunder is 6-2-0 against teams from the Turner Conference while going 7-5-0 in division... Through 12 home games, Wichita sits in second overall in attendance, averaging 5,679.

UPCOMING WEEK- Wichita begins a busy week with four games in six days. On Tuesday night, the Fort Wayne Komets come into town for the first time as the top two teams in attendance face each other at 7:05pm. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees fly into Wichita for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday, both at 7:05pm before Wichita hits the road to play in North Richland Hills, TX against the Brahmas on Sunday afternoon at 4pm. For ticket information, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com.

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2011


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