My the difference a week can make. Seven days after starting a three game losing streak, Wichita turned the tide and are rolling on a three game winning streak. Wichita, who was practically absent from their game last Saturday at home against Tulsa, didn't have an easy week ahead of them. Hosting Missouri and Tulsa with an away game in Tulsa in the middle. Tulsa had dominated Wichita the last three games, and Missouri is never an easy task. Add in the fact that Wichita and Missouri are coming off a game that left Chris Greene wearing a full face visor, this did not promise to be an easy week at the rink. If Coach McClelland were to script out this week last Sunday, I don't think the end result would have been far off from his script. Wichita started out the week steam rolling, both physically and on the scoreboard Missouri, in a 4-1 win. Enter in Tulsa, coming into the week the Oilers were riding a streak of going unbeaten in regulation in seven games. Many Wichita fans wondered what it would take to get past Tulsa, and we're they going to be the thorn in our side all year? As I look back on the week there is one obvious and glaring person in this weeks 3-0 outcome. Who you ask?
Matt Robinson was second in the CHL in goals scored last year, scoring 40 goals. In the first twelve games of the year this year, Matt had nine points (2g 7a). In the three games this week Matt almost doubled his point production scoring three goals and adding three assists. He led the team in scoring this week, six points, and had a game winning goal and two power play goals. Am I surprised by Robinson's sudden spark? Not at all. When Matt was acquired last year by Wichita nine games into the season, his point production was slow to start as well. Through eight games with Laredo, Matt had one goal and five assists. In his next eight games he scored seven goals adding five assists for twelve points in eight games. So to answer my above stated question, no I am not surprised by Matt's spark. New teammates, new line mates, and new systems take guys time to adjust. Lucky for Thunder fans a guy like Robinson is worth the wait.
Friday night's game in Tulsa was just what the doctor ordered for Wichita. After skidding for three games against the Oilers, Wichita came from behind twice in the game, including a power play goal by Matt Robinson, to take the game into the second intermission tied at two. After making a few adjustments during the intermission, Wichita was able to come out and not only take the lead but shut down the Oilers offense and not allow many good chances. Sure Tulsa out shot the Thunder 13-8 in the third period, but the quality of the chances were not there. Adam Russo continued his impressive play on the year and the Thunder finally got over the hump, and took a 4-2 win back to Wichita.
Saturday night's contest with Tulsa was the same result, but a completely different game. Wichita came out and scored four unanswered goals in the game. For the second time in the week Wichita led a game by three or more goals. Brett Hemingway scored for the third time in as many games, and Matt Robinson continued his impressive week. Matt assisted on an Andrew Martens goal, Robinson made a nice pass out in front of Tulsa goaltender Ian Keserich to a streaking Martens for the tip in and the icing on the cake. Adam Russo turned away 20 of 22 shots in his eighth win on the year.
Wichita will enjoy a fairly easy schedule this week, and by that I mean two home games with a day off in between the two games. As far as the opponents that's not as easy of a task. Evansville comes to Wichita for the first time this year. The Icemen boast two of the best goaltenders in the league, and the second leading scorer in the league in Todd Robinson. Robinson, who played in Odessa last year, was the second leading scorer in the CHL with 99 points (insert Jay Z joke here). As of today, Evansville is first in the Turner Conference, and is just percentage points behind Wichita for the best record in the league. There is no game Saturday, and then Sunday a rather new opponent comes into town. Wait for it, Tulsa will come to Intrust Bank Arena for the second time this season, but sixth overall against the Thunder. While there are only two games this week, momentum must continue for Wichita. We have all seen the talent this team has. Wichita already has 2 four game win streaks this year and are currently on a three game streak. The thing that can not happen is the two step forward one step back situation. A loss here and there will not hurt this team, but my opinion is that this is a team that by far will win much more than they lose. Let's not go on another one of those losing streaks again, I don't like those.
As November comes to a close, something else comes to an end. Movember. Movember is a month long campaign to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Men grow a Mo (moustache) for 30 days to become a walking, talking billboards, for men’s health causes, specifically cancers affecting men. Adam Russo was the team captain for Wichita this year, and put together a video that has not only graced the big screen at Intrust Bank Arena, but also nationally on the Puck Daddy blog on Yahoo Sports. This is a great cause, and I am glad to have participated and had our team participate. If you haven't seen the video yet here it is.
Until next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment