WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita Thunder exploded for seven second period goals Sunday as they claimed game two of the best-of-seven Central Hockey League Berry Conference Final over the Texas Brahmas 8-1 in front of 4,099 fans at Intrust Bank Arena. 
Aaron Davis scored twice for his first points of the post-season, while Thomas Beauregard added two and Chris Chappell, Alex Bourret and Chris Greene posted three-points each as the Thunder remain perfect at home this playoff season.
Wichita‘s seven second period goals marks the most in a single post-season period in the 11-years since the CHL-WPHL merger. Bourret’s marker 1:18 into the second frame would be the eventual game-winner. With Greene in the penalty box serving a minor for cross checking, Bourret took a feed from Jarred Mohr and got ahead of Brendon Hodge before putting the puck top shelf to Fogal’s stick-side, giving the Thunder a 2-1 lead. Davis and Beauregard then traded a pair of goals each in a seven-minute span, solidifying Wichita’s lead. 8:24 into the period Davis, in just his second game of the post-season, took a pass behind the net from Matt Robinson and let lose a shot from a tough angle to the right of Fogal that trickled into the net. Suddenly down 3-1, Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong replaced Fogal with CHL Rookie of the Year Mark Guggenberger. Just under four-minutes later Beauregard scored on a snap shot from the right face-off dot, before adding another goal two-minutes later from the slot. Bourret picked up the primary assist on both goals. Davis added his second of the night a minute and a half later, beating Guggenberger glove-side on a one-timer from the right circle, making it 6-1. Matt Summers got in on the action at the 17:19 mark, scoring his first of the post-season on a tip-in goal from point blank range. Greene’s shorthanded marker with 12-seconds remaining added insult to injury, making it 8-1. Greene skated in on Guggenberger on a breakaway and lifted the puck into the net on a backhanded shot above Guggenberger’s right shoulder. Tempers flared in the third period as Wichita was assessed two game misconducts and both teams were later saddled with double minors for roughing. Wichita’s Justin Sawyer and Erick Lizon both were given game misconducts for their roles in a fight with Ryan Hand at the 5:56 mark of the third. Mohr and Hogg later received matching double minors for roughing at 16:01. Neither team, though, would find the net in the final period. As has been their modus operandi this post-season, Wichita fell behind before catching up with their opponent and ultimately posting a victory. Texas forward Adam Hogg struck first, putting the Brahmas up 1-0 just 2:47 into the opening period. Hogg took a hand-off pass in the slot from Mike Hellyer then skated in on net, beating Adam Russo glove side. The Thunder evened the score 10-minutes later on a penalty shot by Matt Robinson. While streaking towards the net on a breakaway, Robinson was pulled down by T.J. Fox, prompting a showdown with net minder Brad Fogal. Robinson then beat Fogal through the legs on the penalty shot, making it 1-1 with 7:03 remaining in the first. The series now shifts to North Richland Hills, Texas for game three at NYTEX Sports Centre. Face-off is set for 7 pm CST on Wednesday. Contact the writer at john.hall@prohockeynews.com
