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CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder Weekly

March 5, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


LAST WEEK'S GAMES -

Wednesday, Feb. 29th Wichita 8 Evansville 5

Friday, March 2nd Wichita 2 Evansville 1

Sunday, March 4th Wichita 3 Fort Wayne 2 SO

**Caps designates home

THIS WEEK'S GAMES -

Friday, March 9th Wichita @ Rapid City 8:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 10th Wichita @ Rapid City 8:05 p.m.

RADIO - Friday, March 9th 1550 KKLE

Saturday, March 10th 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 STAKE CLAIM IN HOOSIER STATE- Wichita closed out its week-long road trip with three victories in the state of Indiana. On Wednesday, Wichita climbed out of a three-goal hole and beat the Evansville IceMen 8-5. Behind a two-goal effort from Chris Greene, Wichita scored six goals in the last 13 minutes of the third period to end the IceMen's win streak at 10 games. The Thunder held the IceMen to just three shots in the final frame and also scored three in 2:57, its fastest three goals to-date this season. On Friday, the two teams reunited at the Ford Center and this time, the game was a defensive struggle. RG Flath extended his goal-scoring streak to three games to give the Thunder an early lead. Evansville tied it at one in the second period on a two-man advantage. Chris Chappell scored the game-winner midway through the third period and Wichita won for the second time on the week at Evansville, 2-1. The final game on the road trip through the Hoosier state saw the Thunder climb out of a two-goal deficit and won its seventh game in shootout fashion over the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday afternoon, 3-2. Dustin Donaghy and Kevin Seibel each had goals and the Thunder outscored the Komets 3-1 in the shootout for the win.

BACK IN BUSINESS- Wednesday's win against the Evansville IceMen clinched a playoff spot for the Thunder. It's the first time since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons that Wichita has gone to the playoffs in back-to-back years. Wichita is the first team in the league to grab a berth to the post-season and has aspirations for more. The Thunder is four points ahead of Evansville and Fort Wayne for the best mark in the CHL. The team with the most points at the end of the regular season grabs the Bud Poile Governor's Cup. Wichita also moved ahead of Allen by 11 points for first place in the Berry Conference.

NEVER SAY DIE- Wichita fell behind in two of the three games this past week, but came back to win them both. Amazingly, Wichita has trailed 16 times entering the third period and has won nearly half of those games. The Thunder is 7-9-0 when trailing after two periods due in large part to the team's dominance in the final frame. Wichita has outscored its opponents 82-46 in the third period this season. When trailing after the first period, Wichita is 11-7-1.

MILESTONES- Adam Russo reached his 24th win of the season Wednesday night against Evansville and set a new personal best. His previous high was 23 wins, set in 2009-10 with Port Huron of the IHL. Now with 25 wins, Russo sits alone in third place in the CHL. Chris Chappell also set a new career high. His game winner on Friday night was his 10th of the season, eclipsing his previous best from a year ago in Greenville of the ECHL. Robinson is one goal shy of recording back-to-back 30 goal seasons and needs three more to move into a three-way tie for eighth place all-time in goals scored in franchise history as he currently sits with 68. Paul Jackson and Cory Dosdall each have 71. Chris Greene also set a new personal best, recording four points (2g, 2a) on Wednesday.

STREAKS - Francis Trudel has the longest current streak for any Thunder player. He has recorded points in his last five games (1g, 7a) and is a +6 in that span. Matt Summers had his nine-game point streak stopped Sunday in Fort Wayne, recording four goals and 11 assists. Kevin Seibel has a three-game point streak, scoring one goal and three assists. Wichita also extended its winning streak to five games, one shy of its season-high (6).

SHOOTOUT DOMINANCE- Wichita improved to 7-1 in shootouts this season. Adam Russo leads the league with six shootout wins and Matt Robinson added to his total with a goal in the shootout as well. He is now five-for-eight in the shootout this season and tied in second with Brett Hemingway, who also has five shootout goals. Summers is batting .500, going three-for-six.

THUNDERBOLTS... Wichita is first in goals per game (3.63) and second in goals against per contest (2.71)...Wichita is second in shots allowed (29.09/game)...Wichita leads the league in combined points (539), assists (336), goals scored (203), first in wins (39) and wins at home (21)...Wichita is first in winning percentage (.714)...The Thunder power play away from home is ranked first, going 24-for-113 at a clip of 21.2%...RG Flath is first in shooting percentage (.286) while Summers is second (.228)...In one-goal games, Wichita is 17-6-2...In four-goal games, Wichita is 4-0-0...When leading after one, The Thunder is 18-3-1...Tied after two periods, Wichita is 12-2-2...When scoring first, Wichita is 23-8-1...When giving up the first goal, Wichita is 16-7-1...When outshooting the opponent, Wichita is 21-6-0...When outshot by opponent, Wichita is 14-7-2...Wichita is 12-6-2 playing on a Friday...Wichita is 13-4-0 playing on a Saturday...Wichita finished 10-3-0 in February...The Thunder is 18-6-2 against teams from the Turner Conference and is a remarkable 9-2-2 on the road outside the Berry...In division, Wichita is 21-9-0, going 8-7-0 on the road and 13-2-0 at home

UPCOMING WEEK- The Thunder close out its five-game road trip with a pair in Rapid City this weekend. Wichita returns to the Air Capital on March 14th to take on the Rush at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com .

Wichita Thunder playoff packages and season tickets for 2012-13 are now on sale. A $50 dollar non-refundable deposit is required for all season tickets. Contact the Wichita Thunder office Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 if you are interested in playoff packages or season tickets, or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game.

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