Thunder winning streak hits eight
January 4, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER SWEEP WEEKEND- The Thunder defeated Fort Worth 2-1 on Thursday night, as Travis Clayton scored both Wichita goals. Jason Flick, returning from a mysterious illness that put him in the hospital for a week, made 35 saves before having to leave the game in the third period due to fatigue. Jamie Vandespyker made the game's final eight saves. On Friday, the Thunder knocked off Tulsa in a shootout, moving their New Year's Eve record to 9-4-0 and a perfect 5-0-0 versus the Oilers. Joe Blaznek scored the game-winner, making a winner out of goaltender Jamie Vandespyker. Blaznek scored the game-tying goal with less than a minute remaining on Saturday and Jason Duda scored the overtime game-winner, as the Thunder beat Colorado, 5-4. The win was Wichita's first ever on New Year's Day (1-2-2).
THUNDER PULL AWAY FROM TARANTULAS- The Thunder used a fast start and a huge finish to knock off Topeka, 6-2, on Monday night at the Kansas Coliseum. Two goals by Travis Clayton and one by Scott Allison gave the Thunder a 3-1 lead after the first period. Topeka pulled to within 3-2 at the second intermission, before the Thunder blew open the game in the third period. Jason Duda made it 4-2, then Allison added his second goal of the night shorthanded. Paul Esdale put the game away with his eighth power play goal of the season. Jamie Vandespyker recorded the win, making 23 saves as the Thunder moved to within one point of clinching the 2004-05 Park City, Kansas Challenge. The Thunder are 6-2-0 versus Topeka this season with four games remaining.
LUCKY EIGHTS- Wichita's win on Monday night extended their winning-streak to eight straight games, tying the record for the longest winning-streak in franchise history. The Thunder won eight games all the way back in January of 1994, then tied the record by winning their first eight games to start this season. The Thunder now lead Colorado by eight points in the CHL's Northwest Division. With 47, the Thunder are the only CHL team to reach at least 40 points. With 106, they are also the only CHL team to score more than 100 goals. When the Thunder return to the road next weekend in New Mexico, they will also be looking for their seventh straight road win, which would break the franchise record for the longest road winning-streak, set in December of 1994. The Thunder have already put together two six-game road winning streaks this season. With a road record of 13-3-0, the Thunder are seven road wins shy of the franchise mark, set by the 1994-95 CHL Champion Thunder team.
CLAYTON ADDED TO ALL-STAR GAME ROSTER- CHL President Brad Treliving today added Thunder center Travis Clayton to the Northern Conference roster for the 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game. Clayton will join Thunder left wing Jason Duda and defenseman Paul Esdale on the Northern Conference Squad. Esdale will be a starter. Treliving decided to add Clayton, who has led the CHL in scoring since Sunday, December 26th. Since then, Clayton and Duda have been scoring in record numbers and have now built an eight-point lead over their next closest challenger. Clayton and Duda are now tied for the CHL-lead with 51 points each. Clayton, who is riding a 13-game scoring streak, is also fourth in the CHL with 20 goals. He will be playing in his fifth CHL All-Star Game. The 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game will take place next Wednesday, January 12th in Laredo, Texas.
DUDA TAKES CHL WEEKLY HONOR- Speaking of Duda, he was named the Oakley CHL Player of the Week. In three games, Duda picked up three goals and nine points. Duda assisted on both Thunder goals in Thursday's 2-1 win at Fort Worth. He followed it up with a four-point effort versus Tulsa on Friday and added a shootout goal. Saturday, Duda assisted on the game-tying goal in the game's final minute, then scored the overtime game-winner, as Wichita defeated Colorado. Duda, who has put together five straight multiple-point games, leads the CHL with 35 assists and is now tied for the CHL-lead with a plus/minus rating of +20. He will be playing in his second CHL All-Star Game. The Thunder have now claimed six CHL awards this season.
ESDALE TAKES OVER TOP SPOT TOO- With two points last night, Paul Esdale moved into a first place tie with Memphis' Derek Landmesser for the most point by a CHL defenseman (28). Esdale also leads all CHL defensemen with 11 goals and ranks fourth in the entire CHL with eight power play goals. Esdale is now just one power play goal shy of breaking the Thunder single season record of eight, held by Dave Doucette (1995) and Brian Stacey (1998).
DYNAMIC DUO (NOT DUDA AND CLAYTON)- Goaltender Jamie Vandespyker picked up his sixth consecutive win last night and the seventh in his last eight starts. Vandespyker, who ranks second in the CHL with 15 wins, is now two wins shy of tying the franchise record for the longest winning-streak, set by Bobby Desjardins in the 1993-94 season. Rookie Jason Flick, meanwhile, has won his last three starts, and has not lost in regulation since November 30th in Tulsa. Flick ranks second in the CHL with a .924 save percentage.
DISCIPLINED HOCKEY CARRYING THUNDER- The Thunder continues to use smart hockey to gain power play chances and beat opponents. In 31 games, the Thunder have enjoyed a total of 211 power play chances this season. The next closest team in the CHL is Memphis, with 178 power play opportunities. The other 16 CHL teams are averaging only 134 power play chances on the season. The Thunder now rank second in the CHL on the power play, at 19.4% and their 41 power play goals are 11 more than the next closest CHL team. The other 16 CHL teams are averaging only 22 power play goals this season. The Thunder have allowed 172 power play chances, second most in the CHL, but still rank fifth in the CHL in penalty killing, at 86.0%.
THUNDERBOLTS- Rookie Derek Parker leads the CHL with 19 major penalties and is the only CHL player with more than 200 penalty minutes (203)...The Thunder now rank third in the CHL with 41 majors...The Thunder are 11-1-0 in their last 12 games...Joe Blaznek has 10 goals and 18 points, including five game-winners, in those last 11 wins...The line of Blaznek, Duda and Clayton has combined for 31 goals and 37 assists for 68 points in the last 12 games...The Thunder are 10-1-0 when they are outshot by their opponents this season.
COACH'S SHOW- Jason Duda will be the guest on the Thunder TV Coach's Show, however; their will more than likely not be a public taping this week at BG Bolton's. The show will air on Saturday at Noon on Cox Cable Channel 22, sponsored by Park City. The re-broadcast of last night's Wichita-Topeka game will immediately follow the Coach's Show.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Thursday, December 30- Wichita 2 at Fort Worth 1 Win
Friday, December 31- Tulsa 4 at Wichita 5 Win (SO)
Saturday, January 1- Colorado 4 at Wichita 5 Win (OT)
Monday, January 3- Topeka 2 at Wichita 6 Win
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Friday, January 7- Tulsa at Wichita 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 8- Bossier-Shreveport at Wichita 7:30 PM
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday-Friday Kansas Coliseum 10:00 AM
Central Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2005
- Jas, Bastien and Upton lead Brahmas to win over Memphis - Fort Worth Brahmas
- RiverKings battle but fall to Brahmas for seventh straight defeat - Mississippi RiverKings
- Toronto Coach Pat Quinn, Wichita Center Travis Clayton Join CHL All-Star Festivities - CHL
- Rayz open New Year with win - Corpus Christi IceRays
- RiverKings to host Tunica Museum - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucky Resigns from Bees/Dorados - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Thunder winning streak hits eight - Wichita Thunder
- Saints February 6th Game Rescheduled - San Angelo Saints
- RiverKings gameday preview - Mississippi RiverKings
- Tarantulas announce Spider's Web Performance Team tryouts - Topeka Tarantulas
- Karma works in favor of charitable âKings fans - Mississippi RiverKings
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