Thunder win final two games
March 18, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER POUND, ELIMINATE TULSA- The Thunder jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, eventually winning 5-2 at Tulsa on Saturday in a fight-filled affair. After goals by Travis Clayton, Oleg Tsirkounov and Jeff Leiter, Tulsa put enforcer Dallas Anderson on the ice to mix things up. Anderson first instigated a fight with Rob McCaig, then came out of the penalty box to fight Carlin Nordstrom and finally mixed it up with John Hewitt, after hitting Thunder goaltender Stan Reddick. Anderson also returned to the ice from the dressing room to try and fight again, but was restrained by the linesmen. When the dust finally cleared, nine players were ejected and 164 penalty minutes were handed out. Jason Duda and Mark Bourgeois added goals for the Thunder who eliminated the Oilers from playoff contention. Duda led the Thunder with four points, while Reddick kept his composure and recorded a Thunder season-high 48 saves.
THUNDER END SEASON IN RECORD FASHION- Trailing 4-1 after one period last night in Amarillo, the Thunder exploded in the second, scoring five goals on a season-high 23 second period shots to take a 6-4 lead. Wichita added three more goals in the third for a 9-6 victory. Jason Duda led the Thunder with four points, while Sheldon Szmata and Jeff Leiter also added two goals. Stephen Wagner recorded the victory, as 12 different Thunder players registered at least one point. Dorian Anneck was a one-man show for the Rattlers, picking up a hat trick and three assists for six points.
DUDA SURGES INTO TOP FIVE- With eight points in his final two games, Thunder veteran Jason Duda moved all the way up to finish in fifth place overall in the CHL scoring race, with 83 points. Duda also led the Thunder this season with 48 assists and a career-best plus/minus rating of +16. Only Duda and rookie defenseman Ray Francis appeared in all 64 games this season, as Duda extended his consecutive games-played streak to a Thunder record 146 games. Had the CHL season not been six games shorter this season, Duda was on pace for a career-high 91 points. Duda pledged $5.00 per point this season to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund, raising a total of $415.00. Thunder fans also matched Duda's pledge and the total amount of money raised will be announced later this week. Meanwhile, Duda's linemate Travis Clayton also had a strong weekend, finishing 20th overall in the CHL scoring race, despite missing seven games due to injury.
DUDA, CLAYTON SET SEVERAL THUNDER RECORDS- Duda wrapped up his sixth season in Wichita with a total of 373 points, the most in franchise history. Duda is also Wichita's all-time leader in goals (160) and shares the all-time Thunder lead with Clayton for both shorthanded goals (14) and shootout goals (14). With 217, Clayton finished as Wichita's all-time assist leader and is also the all-time Thunder leader in both games played (325) and game-winning goals (19). Defenseman Sean O'Reilly set Thunder records this season for most career points by a defenseman (169) and most career penalty minutes (926).
SEASON TICKETHOLDER PARTY- The Thunder will hold their annual season ticketholder party this Wednesday night at America's Pub from 6:30-9:00 PM. Food will be served and fans will have the opportunity to bid on the Thunder game-worn road jerseys. For the first time ever, the Thunder will also auction off the game-used helmets with all proceeds benefiting the Park City Skate Park.
THUNDERBOLTS- Thunder players will be at Pizza Hut tonight, 7700 E. Kellogg at Towne East Square, from 5:30-7:00 PM...The Thunder finished second in the CHL with 11 shorthanded goals and allowed a CHL-low four shorthanded goals...Sean O'Reilly led all CHL defensemen with two shorthanded goals...John Hewitt finished third in the CHL with 340 penalty minutes.
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2002
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