Miller, Shantz Help Thunder Slide Past Tulsa 3-2
October 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Tulsa, OK (Oct. 16) - Kenton Miller scored twice, including the game-winner nine seconds after Tulsa tied the game and helped Wichita to a 3-2 victory on Friday night at the BOK Center. Miller finished with two points while Anthony Deluca had the other goal for the Thunder. The win gives Wichita a 1-0 series advantage in the StoneWolf Casino Cup.
The Oilers had the better of the scoring chances in the first period, but Thunder netminder David Shantz was up to the task. He made a beautiful save on Brandon Wong with just over two minutes to go in the frame, which helped keep the game scoreless through one.
In the second, Wichita got goals 31 seconds apart to take a 2-0 advantage. At 11 minutes, Dan Milan jumped on the ice during a change and unloaded a low shot that Miller got a piece of to make it 1-0. Immediately after, Deluca stole the puck at center, came down the left wing and whistled one into the upper right corner to make it 2-0.
Tulsa stormed back into the contest with two goals in the final frame. Ben Walker poked home a loose puck during a net-mouth scramble that cut the lead to one at 11:16 of the third. With less than two minutes remaining, Brady Ramsay got to another loose puck near the crease before Shantz could cover it and tied the game.
On the next shift, Miller beat the Oilers to a loose puck on a dump-in. From behind the net, he slid it through Olkinuora, who appeared to give up on the play thinking it was icing to re-gain the lead. The goal was just nine seconds after Tulsa had evened the score. Shantz stood strong and helped Wichita pull out a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Deluca notches his first goal as a pro while Milan, Danick Gauthier and Mason Baptista each earned assists. Wichita's best period was the second, outshooting the Oilers 13-3 in the frame. Shantz grabbed his first win in a Thunder uniform, stopping 22 of 24 shots he faced. Olkinuora took the loss, stopping 21 of 24 shots he saw.
Wichita went 0-for-5 on the power play. Tulsa finished 0-for-1 with the man advantage.
Opening Night is tomorrow night against the Quad City Mallards! Join us for our Opening Night Block Party, brought to you by Toyota. Starting at 4 p.m., fans can congregate in front of Entrance A and B with all kinds of family fun activities.
The first 1,000 fans in the door that night will get a free voucher for a selfie stick, presented by Waste Connections. Fans who receive this voucher can pick up their prize on the way out of the arena.
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.
Follow along with us on our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter (@wichita_thunder), Snapchat (wichthunder), Instagram (Wichita_Thunder) and LinkedIn, presented by Wichita Brewing Company.
ECHL Stories from October 17, 2015
- Royals Fall in South Carolina in Fifteenth Anniversary Season Opener, 2-1 - Reading Royals
- Wichita Outlasts Mallards 5-4 in Shootout - Quad City Mallards
- Explosive Third Period Enough as Admirals Earn Weekend Split - Norfolk Admirals
- Swamp Rabbits Fall to Orlando in Season Opener - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Atlanta Falls to Florida 6-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Third Period Comeback Falls One Goal Short - Wheeling Nailers
- Big Night for Brown and Tifu But Jackals Edge Beast 4-2 - Brampton Beast
- Jackals Tame Beast, 4-2 - Elmira Jackals
- Walleye Fall to Cyclones 5-1 - Toledo Walleye
- Stingrays Notch 2-1 Win over Reading on Opening Night - South Carolina Stingrays
- Thunder Make Several Moves Prior to Home Opener - Wichita Thunder
- Eric Neilson Loaned to St. John's IceCaps - Manchester Monarchs
- ECHL Transactions - October 17 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Tulsa at Allen, 7:05 p.m. - Tulsa Oilers
- Nailers at Admirals Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Preview: Swamp Rabbits Clash with Solar Bears in Season Opener - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Elmira Eyes Bounce Back against Brampton - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Receive Defenseman from Milwaukee - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Day: Reading at Stingrays, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- ECHL Today - October 17 - ECHL
- Aces Win Season-Opener 3-1 over Missouri - Alaska Aces
- Missouri Falls Short 3-1 in Season Opener against Alaska - Kansas City Mavericks
- Americans Fall in Season Opener 2-1 - Allen Americans
- Steelheads Rout Rush in Season-Opener - Idaho Steelheads
- Eagles Rally Late, But Fall to Utah in Overtime 4-3 - Colorado Eagles
- Grizzlies Open Season with 4-3 OT Win in Colorado - Utah Grizzlies
- Oilers Fall Short in Opening Night Loss to Thunder - Tulsa Oilers
- Rush Fall to Idaho - Rapid City Rush
- Gladiators Drop Opener 4-3 in OT to Florida - Atlanta Gladiators
- Norfolk Drops Season Opener to Wheeling, 3-0 - Norfolk Admirals
- Bloodoff's Overtime Goal Lifts 'Blades to Opening Night Win - Florida Everblades
- Miller, Shantz Help Thunder Slide Past Tulsa 3-2 - Wichita Thunder
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
