CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly

December 19, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


LAST WEEK'S GAMES-

Tuesday, Dec. 13th WICHITA 5 Fort Wayne 3

Friday, Dec. 16th WICHITA 4 Rio Grande Valley 1

Saturday, Dec. 17th WICHITA 3 Rio Grande Valley 0

Sunday, Dec. 18th Wichita 4 Texas 3 OT

**Caps designates home

THIS WEEK'S GAMES-

Friday, Dec. 23rd Wichita at Quad City 7:05 pm

Sunday, Dec. 25th Wichita at Tulsa 7:05 pm

RADIO- Friday, Dec. 23rd 92.7 KWME, 1550 KKLE

Sunday, Dec. 25th 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 TAKE EIGHT- This past week was by far the most productive of the season for the Thunder. After losing two straight the previous week, the Thunder stormed back with four victories in six days. On Tuesday night, Wichita dug out of an early 2-0 hole with three answered goals in the second period and got the game winner from Thomas Beauregard midway through the third. Alex Bourret added two goals including an empty-netter to seal a 5-3 win. A few nights later, Wichita hosted Rio Grande Valley for a pair of games and completely shut down the short-handed Bees. The Thunder outscored Rio Grande Valley 7-1, winning 4-1 on Friday night and 3-0 on Saturday evening. In Friday night's win, the Thunder had four different goal scorers including Chris Greene netting his first of the season. On Saturday, Adam Russo stopped all 20 shots he faced en route to his first shutout of the season and fifth overall for his professional career. That performance overshadowed Thomas Beauregard's two goal effort as Wichita scored a goal in each period and moved into a first place tie with Allen atop the Berry Conference standings. The next day, Wichita hit the road to face the Texas Brahmas, a team the Thunder has yet to beat on the road since coming back into the league in 2007. Before yesterday, Wichita was 0-7-0 at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, TX. Each team traded goals in the first and second period, sending the game into overtime tied at three. It was the first time in 17 games for Wichita that a game wasn't decided in regulation. After a missed penalty shot in the extra session from Thomas Beauregard, the Thunder was awarded a one minute power play and took advantage of that opportunity. Aaron Davis redirected a Beauregard shot off of his shin pad and scored with nine seconds remaining to give Wichita its first overtime win of the year, 4-3, and first ever win at the NYTEX Sports Centre. The Thunder remain in a first place tie with Allen as both teams won on Sunday and have 34 points each.

STREAK TO FIVE- With four wins this past week, Wichita pushed its winning streak to five games and earned eight points in the process. The previous season long winning streak was four games, dating back to the first two weekends of the season in which Wichita won three of those in a shootout. During that span, Wichita has outscored its opponents 18-8.

HOME ICE ADVANTAGE- Through 15 home games, Wichita leads the league with 12 wins on home ice. Traditionally, Wichita has been strong in the Air Capital, going 344-233-57 all-time. Wichita also leads the league with 17 wins and is tied in first for winning percentage with Allen (.708). Wichita has outscored its opponents 51 to 35 at home this season.

RUSS-0- Adam Russo was outstanding this past week. After a tough loss in Texas on December 9th, Russo has won his last four starts including three this past week. During that span, he stopped 91 of 96 shots he faced, good for a .948 SV% and 1.25 GAA. Overall, Russo is now in second place with a 2.47 GAA, fourth in the league in minutes played (972:16) and tied for second in the CHL in wins (12).

FRENCH CONNECTION- The French Canadian influence has certainly been felt this season. The duo of Alex Bourret and Thomas Beauregard have been on fire as of late, combining for 26 points in their last six games. Bourret has 14 points in that span (5g, 9a), including four multi-point games. Bourret had 11 points (3g, 8a) in four games this past week. During this streak, he has scored three points twice and four points this past Sunday in Texas. Bourret currently sits in second place in scoring with 34 points (10g, 24a), just two back of Rapid City's Jesse Schultz for the league-lead. Beauregard has been spectacular as well, scoring 12 points (5g, 7a) during that span. Over the last four games, Beauregard had 9 points (5g, 4a) and extended his multi-point scoring streak to five. Beauregard is tied for third in the CHL with 13 goals and tied for fifth in scoring with 29 points (13g, 16a).

SUMMIT ON HOLD- 12-year veteran Daniel Tetrault is close to reaching the top of the mountain for a Thunder defenseman. Tetrault tied former Thunder defenseman Sean O'Reilly for the franchise lead in most points scored by a Thunder defenseman (169) this past Tuesday against Fort Wayne. Tetrault assisted on Wichita's third goal scored by Matt Robinson at the 13:11 mark of the second period. O'Reilly played 311 games from 1997-02, while Tetrault has played 262 games in a Thunder uniform. Tetrault has missed the past three games due to an injury and there is no timetable for his return to the line-up.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT- Newcomer RG Flath didn't take long to find the scoresheet. The Park City, UT native signed this past Saturday and added an assist in his debut. In two games, Flath has three points (1, 2) and found a home alongside Bourret and Beauregard this past Sunday in Wichita's overtime win in Texas. Flath is in his fifth professional season, spending time in Austin, Corpus Christi, Mississippi, Oklahoma City and Rapid City. Flath started the season overseas with Sheffield of the EIHL before returning state-side. For his career. Flath has played in 231 games, accumulating 129 points (60g, 69a).

SPECIAL TEAMS- This past week, Wichita went four-for-17 on the power play, good for a rate of 23.5%. The Thunder finally found the back of the net twice on Friday with the man advantage after being held to just six all season. Overall, Wichita sits in 11th place going 20-for-110 at a rate of 18.2%. The penalty killing unit stopped nine of 11 chances over the last four games at a rate of 81.8%. Wichita has been stronger on the road than at home against its opponents. The road penalty killing unit is fifth overall at a rate of 82.7%. Overall, The Thunder is 12th in the CHL stopping 82 of 105 chances at a rate of 78.1%.

THUNDERBOLTS... Wichita is averaging 3.54 goals a contest while giving up 2.75 goals a game, both good for fourth in the CHL... Wichita is first overall in shots allowed (26.29/game), has given up a CHL-low 184 shots in the third period and is the only team under 200 shots in the third all year... The Thunder has only allowed 18 goals against in the final period and is the only team in the league under 20... Wichita is tied for second with six shorthanded goals while being one of just two teams to not allow a goal shorthanded... Jarred Mohr and Andrew Martens are tied for the CHL lead in plus/minus (+17)... Aaron Davis is first in the CHL with six game winning goals... Andrew Martens is in second place in scoring for defenseman (6g, 14a)...Matt Summers is tied for first in shooting percentage (.286)... Erick Lizon is tied for the league lead with eight majors... Davis is in fourth place in shots (105) and Beauregard is right behind him in fifth place (104)... In one goal games, Wichita is 8-3-0... When leading after one, The Thunder is 8-2-0... Tied after two periods, Wichita is 6-2-0... When outshooting the opponent, Wichita is 11-3-0... The Thunder is 7-2-0 against teams from the Turner Conference while going 10-5-0 in division... Through 15 home games, Wichita sits in second overall in attendance, averaging 5,566.

UPCOMING WEEK- The Thunder remain on the road for the next two games. On Friday, Wichita will travel to Moline, Il for the first time this season to face the Quad City Mallards at 7:05pm. Quad City is one of the hottest teams in the league, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. On Christmas Day, Wichita heads to Tulsa for the second consecutive year to meet the Oilers at 7:05pm. Historically, Wichita is 3-2-2 on Christmas Day and lost last season in Tulsa 6-5. This will be the third time Wichita and Tulsa get together on Christmas, with the first meeting dating all the way back to 1993-94, with Wichita winning at home 7-5. The Thunder's next home game is Tuesday, December 27th against rival Missouri. For tickets to that game against the Mavericks, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2011


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