Wichita Advances to Conference Finals with Game Five Win
April 7, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS - Wichita exploded for five unanswered goals and eliminated the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees with a 6-2 win in Game five at INTRUST Bank Arena on Saturday night. Wichita wins the series 4-1 and will await its opponent in the Berry Conference Finals that will begin next week.
Rio Grande Valley scored the first goal in each game of the series and was able to find the back of the net when Aaron Lee scored at 9:54. The Thunder responded less than two minutes later on the power play when Daniel Tetrault (1) blasted a shot from the blue line and beat Bees starter John Murray to tie it at one. It was the fist power play goal the Thunder had scored in the series.
The Killer Bees started out the second period with a tally as Dan Gendur made it 2-1 at 1:09. Just two and half minutes later, The Thunder tied the game up and scored the next five. RG Flath (5) stole a pass in Killer Bee territory and tied the game at two. Wichita took the lead at 7:29 off a one-timer from the blue line by Tetrault (2) to make it 3-2. Flath (6) scored his second of the game off a beautiful pass from Alex Bourret at 11:41 to make it 4-2.
In the third, Thomas Beauregard (1) created a turnover at the Killer Bee line and scored just 31 seconds into the final frame to make it 5-2. Murray was lifted for Wylie Rogers, who finished out the game. With their season on the line and down three goals, Rio Grande Valley pulled their goalie with 3:30 remaining in the contest. Kevin Young (2) capitalized on that decision and scored on an empty-netter at 17:34 and the Thunder won 6-2.
Wichita won its first playoff series since 2004-05 when the Thunder beat Bossier-Shreveport in seven games in the Northern Conference Semifinals. Wichita earned its 30th all-time home win in the post-season and improved to 9-18 all-time in elimination games. Wichita's post-season record improved to 49-49 all-time.
Daniel Tetrault moved up the all-time list for Thunder defenseman in the playoffs, now in second place and two points back of Cam Plante with 15 points in his career. Flath continues to torment Rio Grande Valley, scoring two more and has 19 goals in 33 career games against the Killer Bees.
Wichita went 1-for-7 with the man advantage and Rio Grande Valley was 0-for-3.
Wichita awaits its opponent that will either be the Allen Americans or the Texas Brahmas in the Berry Conference Finals. Game 1 is set for Friday, April 13th at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are on sale by calling 755-SEAT, visiting the box office, or going to www.selectaseat.com.
Wichita Thunder season tickets for 2012-13 are now on sale. A $50 dollar non-refundable deposit is required for all season tickets. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625 if you are interested in season tickets, or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game.
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Central Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2012
- Wichita Advances to Conference Finals with Game Five Win - Wichita Thunder
- Brahmas Take Game 5, 1-0 - Allen Americans
- CHL Central Hockey League Announces Suspension - CHL
- Killer Bees Eliminated; Fall to Wichita 6-2 - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
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