Thunder's Season Ends in Loss to Blazers
March 21, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- The Wichita Thunder lost 5-2 to the Oklahoma City Blazers at the Ford Center on Saturday night. Bill Vandemeer gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 4:02 in the first period, before Mike Zbriger helped the Thunder tie the game at 14:46, also on the power play. Zbriger deflected a shot from the point from Brad Thompson. Jeff MacDermid knocked a close range puck past John Daigneau just nine seconds later to give Oklahoma City a 2-1 advantage.
The Blazers surged ahead in the second, scoring two power play goals. Chad Hinz knocked in a rebound from Josh Patterson at 13:04 and then Simon Lambert hit the backdoor at 14:29 on a pass from Jason Murfitt.
Anthony Monte scored for the second straight game at 16:45 in the third period to pull Wichita back within two goals. Vandemeer scored his second of the game less than two minutes later to finish the scoring for the night.
Daigneau saved 38 of 43 in the loss, while Doug Groenestege improved to 6-0 against the Thunder this season, saving 17 of 19. Jason Duda notched an assist on Zbriger's goal in the first, and finishes the season two points behind Doug Lawrence for third place all-time in CHL history. Wichita went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Blazers were 3 for 6. Wichita finishes the year with a record of 20-40-3.
The Thunder would like to thank the best fans in the CHL for their support through another season. The Thunder finished second in the league in attendance for the fourth consecutive year, averaging 5,457 fans per home game.
The Thunder are accepting new season ticket orders as well as renewals for the 2009-10 season which will be split between the Kansas Coliseum and the new Intrust Bank Arena downtown. For more information, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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