ECHL Wichita Thunder

Lowe Secures Home Opener Thriller with Shootout Winner

Published on October 18, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


Wichita, KS - Ian Lowe recorded the game-winner in round five to propel Wichita (2-0-0-0) to a 5-4 shootout victory on Saturday night against Quad City (1-0-0-1) at INTRUST Bank Arena. Five different players found the back of the net while Lowe and Danick Gauthier each potted two assists. The Thunder take the first game of the season-series and will play the Mallards in Moline, Il a week from Sunday.

The Thunder started the scoring early in the first period. Brandon Martell found a loose puck in front of the Quad City net and banged home a rebound past Mallards goalie Steve Michalek to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Quad City tied the game late in the opening frame when Vladimir Nikiforov made a nifty play at the side of the net and beat Grant Rollheiser at 18:17.

Wichita capitalized early in the second when Todd Hosmer stole the puck at the top of the right circle and fired a low wrist shot to make it 2-1. Michael Neal gave the Thunder a two-goal cushion when he put home a rebound on the power play at 3:21. Quad City answered at the 11 minute-mark when Logan Nelson scored his first of two in the period that made it 3-2. He recorded his third of the season at 12:45 on a breakaway that tied the game at three.

In the third, Andy Huff found a loose puck that slid across the crease and poked it in to make it a 4-3 contest in favor of the home team. The Mallards answered late after their second power play had expired. Matt Neal found the back of the net at 18:14 that once again tied the see-saw game and forced overtime. Wichita would carry a power play into the extra period after Darren McMillan pulled down Hosmer along the penalty box wall.

The overtime started with the Thunder on a four-on-three advantage, but they were unable to get one past Michalek. At 2:15, Dan Milan was called for goalie interference when he ran into Michalek at the side of the net and gave Quad City a chance on the power play. Wichita was able to get through the man advantage and the game headed into a shootout.

Joey Sides got things started at the bottom of round one as he scored while falling down to make it 1-0. Raphael Bussieres tied the shootout at the top of round two. The next five shooters were denied by the netminders, giving Lowe a chance to be the hero. He carried the puck out wide to the left and fired a wrist shot past Michalek to give Wichita a shootout victory.

Hosmer finished with two points (1g, 1a) while Gauthier and Lowe had two helpers to lead the way. Lowe also recorded his seventh shootout goal in a Thunder uniform. Rollheiser earns the victory, stopping 26 of 30 shots. Michalek took the shootout loss, stopping 20 of 24 shots on net.

Wichita went 1-for-2 on the power play. Quad City was 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

The Thunder remains home next weekend when the Missouri Mavericks come to town for the first time this season on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 855-755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com.

Season tickets are on sale now. Don't delay! Call the Wichita Thunder office and visit with a season ticket rep today to learn more. Stay up-to-date on all the news during the season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.

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