Wichita Claims Game One with a 4-2 Win Over Rio Grande Valley
Published on March 30, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS - RG Flath recorded his first post-season hat trick and Thomas Beauregard added three assists to pace Wichita past Rio Grande Valley, 4-2. Wichita leads the best-of-seven-series 1-0 with Game two taking place on Sunday afternoon.
Rio Grande Valley struck first with a power play goal at 13:45 of the first period. Chris Greene was called for tripping and the Bees capitalized as Mike Wilson's blast was tipped by Brandon Campos past Adam Russo to make it 1-0. Wichita seemed to have the upper-hand, outshooting the Bees 10-1 at one point and delivered a multitude of hits along the boards.
Alex Bourret (1) scored off a one-timer from the slot two minutes into the second period to erase the 1-0 deficit. Wichita took the lead with 15:58 left in the second off a power play goal in front of the net by Flath (1). At 14:23, Flath scored his second of the game after Beauregard stole the puck behind the Rio Grande net and found Flath just in front of the crease to make it 3-1. Mike Wilson cut the lead to one after he found a rebound at the left circle and scored to make it 3-2.
The only goal of the third period came at 2:12 when Alex Bourret created a turn-over, skated down on a two-on-one shorthanded break and fed it over to Flath for his third of the night. The Thunder clamped down from there and took Game One with a 4-2 victory.
Flath, who came into the game with two goals during the post-season, notched his second-career professional hat trick with his first coming 10 days ago in the Thunder's Governor's Cup clinching win against Texas on March 20th. Flath, Beauregard (3a) and Bourret (1g, 2a) combined for nine points with the only other point on the night awarded to Daniel Tetrault. Wichita improves its post-season record to 46-48 all-time and is now 11-8 in the first game of a playoff series.
Wichita and Rio Grande Valley will have a day off before getting back after it in Game two on Sunday in the first-ever meeting between the two franchises in the post-season.
Individual tickets are on sale now for Game two, which is Sunday, April 1st at 5:05 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., come have fun and be a part of the Blue Revolution Block Party. For details, go to www.wichitathunder.com . For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at 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.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2012
- Four-Goal Outburst in Third Period Powers Rush to 6-3 Victory in Game #1 of Turner Conference Semis - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Take Game 1, Beat Brahmas 5-0 - Allen Americans
- Wichita Claims Game One with a 4-2 Win Over Rio Grande Valley - Wichita Thunder
- Mavs Dominate IceMen in Game Two, 7-1 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Game One Goes to Wichita, Bees Fall 4-2 - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Quad City's Mickey Lang Named 50/50 Central/CHL Rookie of the Month - CHL
- Mallards' Lang Named 50/50 Central CHL Rookie of the Month - Quad City Mallards
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