MacKenzi Miller Becomes a Wichita Thunder Jr. Reporter
On Saturday March 14, 2009 I had an opportunity of a lifetime to be the Junior CHL reporter for the Wichita Thunder as they hosted Odessa Jackalopes. As the days got closer I was getting more nervous. The day finally came and we got the rink 30 minutes before they opened the doors. We finally made it up to the press box and I got seated and waited for it all to begin. I was hoping this game would be as exciting as the last one, when we beat Odessa in overtime.
The players came out on the ice to warm up and Steve Schuster, the voice of the Thunder, was showing me the ropes. Finally the game starts. It started slow as both teams played the night before. Odessa scored the first goal of the night at 2:36 in the first period and eventually took a 4-0 lead. We scored our first goal from Troy Ofukany and assisted by Jordan Hack at 14:35 in the first.
By the time the second period came, you could tell the thunder was getting frustrated. There were a few penalties for both teams. You could tell the thunder was starting to struggle a bit, but we scored our second goal and you could feel the energy starting to pick up. The fans were every more rowdy as for the sixth year in a row they were voted the league’s most annoying fans.
The third period came and the players are getting their energy up and are ready to take the bull by the horns. And I'm wanting a good fight. As soon as the puck dropped here it goes. Odessa 's #6 Garrett Gruenke and Wichita 's Devin Guy dropped the gloves and you knew it was going to be good. Guy ended up with a match penalty, which made everyone mad, especially because Odessa scored a power play goal. The tensions were high everywhere and Odessa scored two more goals and we scored one more making the final of the game 7-3 Odessa . Even though we lost the game it was still very exciting.
The best part was when I interviewed Jason Duda. I couldn't wait. It seemed for ever until Joel Lomurno took me down to meet Jason. I finally got to meet him and I was so nervous. This has been the greatest experience ever. I was very honored to have been chosen for this, and I will never forget this day. Thank you for the Thunder and Steve Schuster for making this day very special and Thank you Bob Hoffman for choosing me.
Here are the questions I asked Jason Duda:
1. When did you start playing hockey?
4yrs old in Canada
2. Have you always played the position you are playing now?
Played center and now playing left wing
3. Who is your favorite NHL hockey Team?
Edmonton Oliers
4. Who is your favorite player?
Steve Yzerman
5. What do you do to pass the time on the bus trips?
Used to play cards but I'm married now and have a little daughter, so I sleep, watch movies.
6. Do you have a routine before each game?
I go to QuikTrip and get a Coffee.
7. Do you have an IPOD and if so what’s on it?
No I'm old and not up to date.
8. What do you do when you're not playing hockey?
Spend time with my little girl, golf and I love all sports.
9. What’s the one thing that sticks out the most since you have been playing for the Thunder?
How the fans and Wichita has treated me. People are great and once I'm done playing hockey I plan on making Wichita my home.
10. If you are to retire this year what are your plans after hockey?
I have no idea
11. Since we have been voted most annoying fans for the sixth year in a row, who else would you saw are annoying fans?
No one else is like the Thunder Fans.
12. You do a segment on KAKE Channel 10 news called Duda Does It. What’s the one things you enjoyed doing the most?
Feeding the animals at the zoo and giving a baby rhino a bath.
Thank you Jason Duda for taking the time for letting me interview you, and thank you Steve, Joel and the rest of the Thunder staff for the experience!!!
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