Wichita Finishes #1 on Final CHL Coaches Poll
Published on March 28, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
GLENDALE, AZ (March 28, 2012) - The Wichita Thunder finished the CHL's 20th Anniversary Season with the league's best record of 44-19-3, the most points with 91 (Bud Poile Governors' Cup winners) and now you can add the top team on the final CHL Coaches Poll of the season. If marks the fifth time in nine polls released that the Thunder earned the top spot.
The poll is released on or near the beginning and middle of each month throughout regular season. Each first place vote receives 10 points, second place votes earn 9 points, etc.
The Thunder moved up from the number two spot in the previous poll to overtake the Evansville IceMen for the top spot. A 4-8-0 month of March for Evansville saw them fall three spots to #4 in the final poll. The Turner Conference regular season champion Fort Wayne Komets moved up to finish in the #2 spot ending the season with a 40-19-7 record.
Rounding out the top five were the Allen Americans (#3), the IceMen (#4) and the Missouri Mavericks (#5). The Americans reflected the biggest leap jumping up two spots while the IceMen's three spot fall was equaled by the Texas Brahmas who went from the #4 ranked team to the #7 ranked team.
The Thunder earned 11 first place votes (teams are unable to vote for themselves) while the Komets, Mavericks and the Rapid City Rush all earned one first place vote.
The CHL Playoffs begin on Wednesday night with the Missouri Mavericks hosting the Evansville IceMen, a match-up that features the #4 and #5 ranked teams. The three other series' feature the #1 ranked Thunder taking on the #9 ranked Killer Bees, the #3 ranked Americans and the #7 ranked Brahmas and the #2 ranked Komets and the #6 ranked Rush.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2012
- Mavs Open Postseason with 3-2 Win Over Evansville - Kansas City Mavericks
- Mallards Extend Early Bird Season Ticket Offer in Recognition of MVP Marino - Quad City Mallards
- Blaze Leaders Excited for Season Two - Bloomington Blaze
- Mallards Wrap up Successful Season - Quad City Mallards
- On-Ice Officials Announced for CHL Playoffs - CHL
- Wichita Finishes #1 on Final CHL Coaches Poll - CHL
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