Thunder Weekly
Published on January 6, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
LAST WEEK'S GAMES -
Tuesday, December 31st
Wichita at Allen, 5-3 L
-On New Year's Eve, Wichita lost a back-and-forth battle to the Allen Americans by the final of 5-3. The two teams entered the third period tied at three before Jonathan Lessard scored the game-winner with nine minutes left. The two teams hadn't seen each other since Opening Weekend.
Friday, January 3rd
Arizona at Wichita, 6-3 L
-For the second-straight game, Wichita entered the third period tied only to find itself on the losing end; this time to the Arizona Sundogs by the final of 6-3. Tomas Klempa returned to the line-up to score twice and Matt Robinson netted his 15th of the year.
Saturday, January 4th
Arizona at Wichita, 3-0 L
-Andrew Engelage was too tough in net for the Sundogs as he earned a 29-save shutout against the Thunder. The game was scoreless until midway through the third period when Johan Ryd put Arizona up for good. It was the third time this season the Thunder had failed to score on its opponent.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES -
Friday, January 10th
Wichita at Quad City, 7:05 p.m., 1550 KKLE
(All times are central time zone)
Thunder Practice Schedule -
Tuesday-Wednesday
Wichita Ice Center, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (subject to change)
Media availability after practice. Please be at the Wichita Ice Center promptly before 11 a.m.
Team departs Wednesday night for Quad City
**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 the keyword, Wichita Thunder**
STREAKY - Wichita has lost three-straight after winning four in a row. In all three games, the Thunder entered the third period tied with its opponent. The Thunder has not fared well when entering the third period tied this season, just 2-7-2 and 0-5-1 at home. Wichita is 5-3-1 when leading after two and does have four wins when trailing after two, which is the most in the league.
CENTURY MARK - Matt Robinson scored the game-tying goal in the second period on Saturday that proved to be a milestone for him. He became just the fifth player in team history to score 100 goals in a Thunder uniform and also moved alone into eighth place ahead of Daniel Tetrault with 177 points on the Thunder all-time list. Robinson leads the team with 15 goals through 32 games and has 24 points so far this season.
MONTHLY HONOR - Jon Booras was awarded the Easton Player of the Month on Friday by the CHL. The Billings, Montana native had points in nine of the team's 11 games. During December, he racked up 18 points (7g, 11a) including two three-point games and a four-assist night in Tulsa on December 27th. He had his seven-game point-streak snapped that same night.
BLUE LINE - Wichita has three of the top 12 scoring blue liners to this point in the season. Jesse Dudas had two assists on Friday and leads all defensemen with 26 points (8g, 18a). Right behind him is Andrew Martens who has 24 points (5g, 19a). Mike Wilson is tied in 12th place with 16 points (3g, 13a).
WELCOME BACK - Tomas Klempa had been out of the line-up since December 7th. He returned to the ice on Friday night and recorded his first two goal-outing of the season. The Piestany, Slovakia native signed as a free agent on November 6th and has three multi-point games this season.
RARE NIGHT OFF - The Thunder will make its only trip of the season this week to Moline, Illinois to take on the Quad City Mallards. After Friday's game, the Thunder will be off Saturday and not play again until the following Friday when the Mallards come to town for the first time this season. This weekend will also mark the CHL's All-Star break. The league will not host an actual game this season, but there is hope in the future of restoring the annual mid-season event.
THUNDERBOLTS... Jon Booras is ninth with 37 points, tied for third for power play goals (6), tied for eighth in power play assists (10) and is tied for sixth in assists (25)...Nick McParland is ninth in rookie scoring with 15 points (5g, 10a)...Andrew Martens is tied for third in power play assists (13)...Wichita is first in shots allowed per game (29.19)...Wichita is averaging 14.63 PIM per game, which is the lowest in the league...Wichita is 6-6-1 when out-shot by its opponent...Wichita is 4-3-0 when leading after one...Wichita is 5-3-1 when leading after two...Wichita is 5-8-1 when tied after one...Wichita is 5-5-4 in one-goal games...Wichita is 2-1-0 in 4-goal games...
The Thunder heads to Quad City for the first and only time this season next Friday to take on the Mallards at 7:05. Wichita returns to INTRUST Bank Arena on January 17th against Quad City for Reality TV Night. Think you have what it takes to win $1 Million Dollars? Come out and get in line for your chance to get on the hit TV show, The Amazing Race, as there will be a casting call during the game.
Individual game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets and mini plans are still available. Don't delay, contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625. Stay up-to-date on all the news this season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com .
Central Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2014
- Shots from the Point for January 6, 2014 - CHL
- Tulsa Oilers Weekly News and Notes - Tulsa Oilers
- Winning Wednesdays Presented by T.G.I. Friday's - Quad City Mallards
- Brampton's Scott Howes Named Oakley CHL Player of the Week - CHL
- Mallards Weekly Update - Quad City Mallards
- Thunder Weekly - Wichita Thunder
- Former Big Brother Winner to Appear at Reality TV Night - Wichita Thunder
- Mallards' Rioux to AHL's Iowa Wild - Quad City Mallards
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
