CHL Wichita Thunder

Thunder win three of four, take over second place

Published on February 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


THUNDER BEAT, PASS BLAZERS- Ryan McLean broke a 1-1 second period tie, leading the Thunder to a 2-1 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Nathan Grobins picked up his fourth win of the season over the Blazers, making 24 saves. The victory moved the Thunder ahead of the Blazers in the standings for the first time in February since 1999.

ALLMAN, THUNDER SHOCK GORILLAS IN OVERTIME- Trevor Allman banked a goal off the back of Amarillo goaltender Jamie Vandespyker in overtime, leading the Thunder to a 5-4 victory on Friday night. The goal capped a three-goal night for Allman, who helped lead the Thunder back from a pair of one-goal deficits in the third period. Adam Calder and Mark Kolesar also scored as winning goaltender Nathan Grobins helped Wichita pick up another road victory.

GROBINS TAKES STING OUT OF SCORPIONS- Nathan Grobins picked up his third shutout of the season, making 22 saves, as the Thunder knocked off New Mexico 1-0. Adam Calder scored Wichita's lone goal, as the Thunder won for the seventh time in their last eight road games.

MINARD, SAINTS END THUNDER WIN STREAK- Chris Minard led San Angelo to a 5-0 lead with all five goals, as the Saints ended Wichita's five-game winning streak, 5-2. Trevor Allman and Mark Kolesar again had goals for the Thunder. Despite the loss, the Thunder finished the week in second place in the Northwest Division, tied with the Indianapolis Ice for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Northern Conference.

STREAKS FINALLY END FOR CALDER, HRAPCHAK- Sunday's loss at San Angelo also ended veteran forward Adam Calder's Thunder season-high 17-game scoring streak. The Thunder went 12-5-0 during the streak in which Calder picked up 26 points. Rookie defenseman Les Hrapchak also finished that game with a -2 rating, ending his streak at a franchise record 21 straight games without a negative plus/minus rating. Hrapchak was +20 during the record streak, which started all the way back on December 19th.

PHIL, HANK AND JASON- Ordained ministers Phil and Hank from T-95 will marry 50 couples on the ice following Friday Night's home game. It is Friday the 13th and the first 2000 fans in attendance will receive "Jason" Hockey masks, courtesy of Preferred Health Systems and Ginger Lynn Productions. The Thunder will wear and auction off special Valentine's Day jerseys on Saturday, with the proceeds benefiting Via Christi.

THUNDERBOLTS- Defenseman Darryl Green was transferred to the 45-day IR and will not return to the Thunder lineup until February 25th...Forward Chris Low is expected to return to the Thunder lineup this weekend...Low is representing Team Canada in the World Senior Hockey Championships in Japan...Adam Calder ranks second in the CHL with 30 goals and 13 power play goals...The Thunder are 11-0-1 when leading after one period...Rookie Ryan Olynyk is second in the CHL with 25 major penalties...Goaltender Nathan Grobins ranks second in the CHL in wins (23), minutes played (2291) and shutouts (3).

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

Wednesday, February 4- Oklahoma City 1 at Wichita 2 Win
Friday, February 6- Wichita 5 at Amarillo 4 Win (OT)
Saturday, February 7- Wichita 1 at New Mexico 0 Win
Sunday, February 8- Wichita 2 at San Angelo 5 Loss

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Friday, February 13- Memphis at Wichita 7:30 PM AM 1070
Saturday, February 14- Oklahoma City at Wichita 7:30 PM AM 1070

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: Tuesday-Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM

Check out the Wichita Thunder Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2004


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