Week in Review

After starting the season out dramatically, it seemed as though things might stabilize for the Thunder. You know? Perhaps a regulation win would suffice? Friday night in Tulsa was no different for the dramatics, and at least this one was only a 60 minute game! The game started out quite dismal for the Thunder, allowing a powerplay goal less than five minutes into the game, and another within another five minutes. Colin Hemingway chipped into the deficit in the second period scoring frames only goal. Going into the third period this looked to have the story line of every other game the Thunder had played this year. Boy did they have other ideas! Scoring five goals in the period and not allowing a Tulsa goal. Matt Summers led the way, scoring a goal just :26 seconds into the period and another on the powerplay. But the game winner came in a fashion in which, for Thunder fans, should not be surprising. Aaron Davis, who led the Thunder in shorthanded goals last season, did it again. Receiving a slick pass from Daniel Tetrault, Davis drove hard to the net and scored to give Wichita the lead for good. Six unanswered goals including five in the third period was a great way to finish off a team that earlier in the week was quoted as saying "We are going to take it to them".

Saturday night was back to the dramatics for the Thunder as Allen visited town for the second time in a week. Wichita played catch up all game, while seemingly controlling play. Trailing 1-0 Jarred Mohr tallied his first in a Thunder uniform, tying the game on the powerplay. Allen answered to start the second period, but Thomas Beauregard was thinking otherwise. Netting his 100th career goal, Thomas tied the game on a centering feed, burying the puck top shelf to dead lock the game. No goals in either the third period or the five minute overtime led to the Thunders third shootout in four games. Keith Johnson scored for Allen in the sixth round, when Alex Bourret skated to center ice. Bourret, who was suspended for the previous two games for a questionable "Illegal check to the head", was back on the ice for the first time since the suspension. Bourret skated in, deked backhand and got goaltender Rejean Beauchemin to bite hard to his glove side. Bourret quickly switched back to his forehand and easily slid the puck in to tie the shootout. After an Adam Russo save, it was Aaron Davis' turn. Davis was able to score five hole on Beauchemin giving the Thunder their third shootout win in as many chances.

Now I am going to go a little cheesy on these next couple lines, so follow along. The topic is the heart. I don't know about all of you, but I'm not sure my heart can take much more of these thrilling finishes. But if the Thunder keep winning I'll find ways to keep the old thing ticking. One thing I continue to notice about this team is their?? ANYONE? Heart. You guessed it. They trailed twice this last weekend to Allen before tying the game both times. Trailed Tulsa two-rip, and was down three to nothing to Allen, last Saturday, before scoring three goals in the third period to tie the game. Not trying to bash any former Thunder teams, but when was the last time you saw a team play with such heart and determination this early in the season and be successful at the same time? To answer that question I personally would go back to the Laxdal era of 2004-2005. That season the Thunder started out 8-0. What is even more impressive to me is the caliber of players that was brought in this season, and have all been able to put any ego's aside and come together as a team. The CHL has evolved since 2004-2005. Gone are the days, in my opinion, of teams having a core group of players, that were always your go to guys. Teams are constantly changing year by year. That year the Thunder had three 70+ point producers (Duda, Clayton, and Blaznek) who were guys that played here for multiple seasons and were expected to put up those kind of numbers. Kevin McClelland, after being given new resources financially, went out and assembled a team that on paper was stacked. What was left to be seen was how they were going to produce on the ice. I'm sure we have all seen the teams that on paper were championship winners, but ended up fluttering in the playoffs or even regular season. Three wins against conference finalists, and beating an unbeaten Tulsa team has calmed my nerves on how the team would perform. Sure we can all thank the Steven's, which is well deserved, but I began thinking. We have all praised the efforts of the Steven's brothers for coming in and saving this franchise, but who is to thank for the product we have seen so far? The fan entertainment side of it is one thing. Prizes, block parties, drum lines all help bring people back to the arena, but what are those things worth if the on ice product is dismal? That's where I think the attention needs to turn to Kevin McClelland. He has been a winner every where he has gone, he is 221-133-32 as a head coach in the CHL. This man knows how to win, he did it as a player and is doing it as a coach. Of the 21 players on the roster, nine came from different leagues, four from different CHL teams, and eight returning players. I think a good deal of thanks needs to go to Coach Mac for recruiting a roster that not only is chock full of talent, but has come together as a team already and shown what kind of heart it takes to win hockey games.

Until next time.