CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly

Published on January 16, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


THUNDER SPLIT WITH RUSH- Wichita headed north to Rapid City, SD for a pair of games against the Rush this past weekend. On Friday night, Adam Russo stole the show, making 40 saves on 41 shots. The game went scoreless through the first 40 minutes. Wichita struck first with a Jarred Mohr goal in the third period before the Rush tied it four minutes later. The two teams needed a shootout for the second time this season as Wichita won its home opener back on October 21st against the Rush 3-2. Brett Hemingway, Thomas Beauregard and Matt Summers each scored for the Thunder and Russo stopped all three shots he faced as the Thunder won 2-1 in a shootout. On Saturday night, the Thunder got three goals from its third line but was unable to slow down Rapid City, losing 5-3. Dustin Donaghy scored twice including his first of the season and Chris Chappell added his third on the year. Wichita remains in first place by one point in the Berry Conference.

SHOOTOUT STAR - Brett Hemingway continues to be Wichita's go-to-guy in the shootout. He got the call to go first on Friday night and didn't disappoint as he scored the game-winning goal. Hemingway now has scored four times in six chances including three game-winners in the shootout. Two of those game-winning goals have come against Rapid City. Hemingway leads the team in shootout percentage (.667) while Matt Robinson is right behind him (.500).

BIG ROOS- Adam Russo was spectacular this past Friday night. He made some huge saves to keep the Thunder in the game including one against Rapid forward Konrad Reeder where he went into the splits and kept the puck out of the net. He also added a big glove save late in the contest. Russo leads the league in shootout wins (4) as he stopped all three shooters he faced. He is second in the CHL in wins (15), fourth in minutes played (1344:46), fifth in goals against (2.59) and second in shutouts (2).

HOME - ICE ADVANTAGE- Through 18 home games, Wichita leads the league with 15 wins on home ice. Traditionally, Wichita has been strong in the Air Capital, going 347-233-58 all-time. Wichita has outscored its opponents 65 to 40 at home this season.

THIRD LINE SCORING- Dustin Donaghy and Chris Chappell provided all the offense for Wichita on Saturday night. Donaghy scored his first goal of the season on a tip-in off a Daniel Tetrault shot that got past Rush goalie Danny Battochio. His second goal of the night was a wicked snapshot that pinged off the crossbar from the right wing circle. Donaghy was acquired last season from Allen, contributing 10 goals and eight assists in 33 games. Chappell scored his third of the season in similar fashion as he stole the puck at the Rush line and ringed it off the pipe and in. The third-year pro played last season in Greenville of the ECHL before getting called-up to Hartford/Connecticut of the AHL.

ALL-STAR PERFORMANCE- Matt Robinson took advantage of his opportunity to play in this year's All-Star Game. Robinson scored twice and added an assist as the CHL All-Stars beat the Arizona Sundogs 6-4 this past Wednesday night in Prescott Valley, AZ. Playing in his second straight All-Star game, Robinson has scored six points (5 goals and 1 assist) in the CHL's annual event the past two seasons.

THUNDERBOLTS... The Thunder is in first in winning percentage (.697) tied for first in wins (22) and tied for first in points (46)... Wichita is second in goals per game (3.70) and sixth in goals against per contest (2.94)... Wichita is second in shots allowed (28.00/game) and has given up a CHL-low 272 shots in the third period... The Thunder power play away from home is ranked third, going 15-for-67 at a clip of 22.4%... Wichita has four of the top six players in the plus/minus category with Martens (+20) leading the way, Mohr (+15) tied for third with Davis and Robinson (+14) locked up in a group in fifth... Matt Summers is first in shooting percentage (.316)... Erick Lizon is tied for first in majors (11)... Davis is tied for first in game-winning goals (6) and fourth in shots (138)... In one-goal games, Wichita is 10-3-2... When leading after one, The Thunder is 8-3-1... When trailing after one, Wichita is 7-3-1... Tied after two periods, Wichita is 9-2-2... When scoring first, Wichita is 11-6-1... When outshooting the opponent, Wichita is 13-4-0... In four-goal games, Wichita is 2-0-0... The Thunder is 10-3-2 against teams from the Turner Conference while going 12-6-0 in division... Through 18 home games, Wichita is second overall in attendance, averaging 5,680.

UPCOMING WEEK- The Thunder head on the road for the next five and will not return to the Air Capital until Sunday, January 22nd against the Texas Brahmas. For tickets, 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 January 16, 2012


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