Thunder Win-Streak Stopped with Shootout Loss in Tulsa
February 3, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Tulsa, OK - Wichita (26-14-4) scored a late goal to extend the game in an extra period, but was outdone by the Tulsa Oilers (15-27-3) in the shootout with a 5-4 loss at the BOK Center on Saturday night. Neil Trimm scored his 21st goal of the season to send the game into extra time with just over a minute left. The shootout loss stops the Thunder's five-game win-streak. Wichita stays within a point of Allen, who also lost in a shootout.
Both teams entered the game red hot on the power play and that is how the first period started. Ben Gordon got behind the Thunder defense and was able to beat Torrie Jung over the glove at 4:17 to make it 1-0. Wichita tied it at one at 13:52 when a Jarred Mohr shot deflected off of Shane Madolora's padding right to Greger Hanson and he scored his 21st of the season.
Tulsa continued on its torrid pace on the power play to start the second. Ryan Menei scored at 5:30 to give the Oilers a 2-1 lead. During a delayed penalty call, Menei got to his own rebound and beat Jung from a sharp angle. Just under two minutes later, Drew Fisher added another power play tally with a wrist shot from the left circle to give the Oilers a 3-1 lead. Wichita kept pushing and had some great chances that were denied by Madolora. Late in the second, Chad Painchaud got to a rebound off a shot from an Andrew Martens and cut the lead to one entering the third period.
Wichita tied the game with its second power play goal of the contest in the third. Dave Inman got to a loose puck at the side of the net at 8:58 and put it home to pull even with the Oilers at three. Tulsa didn't waste any time taking the lead back as Menei scored his second of the game at 9:19 from the top of the left circle. The Oilers held the Thunder scoreless through for the next seven minutes before Jung was pulled for the extra attacker. With just over a minute remaining, Trimm tracked down a rebound and scored to pull even at four and sent the game into overtime for the first time this season between the two teams.
After a scoreless five minutes, the two teams headed to the shootout. Tulsa scored in all four rounds while Matt Robinson was the only Thunder player to tally one in round three. Beausoleil, Menei, Gordon, and Fisher all scored to give the Oilers the 5-4 shootout victory.
Painchaud, Inman, and Trimm each tallied two points and Hanson added his 21st of the season. Jung suffered his first blemish in a shootout situation, making 24 saves on 28 shots and saw his record drop to 13-4-1 on the season.
Wichita went 2-for-6 on the power play while the Oilers were 3-for-6.
The Thunder returns home on Friday, February 8th against the Oilers for Military Appreciation Night. Military personnel can receive $5 tickets with a military ID, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com.
Wichita Thunder mini-plans are still available. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game for more information. Join the Blue Revolution today!
Central Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2013
- Cutthroats Weekly Update - Denver Cutthroats
- Oilers Keep Rolling with Shootout over Wichita - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Win-Streak Stopped with Shootout Loss in Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
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