ECHL Wichita Thunder

Third Period Dooms Thunder in 4-1 Loss at Tulsa

March 13, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


Tulsa, OK - Wichita (28-22-2-6) and Tulsa (29-25-1-3) took a tie game into the third period before the Oilers scored three times to claim a 4-1 victory on Friday night at the BOK Center. Tulsa scored two quick goals at the eight minute mark of the final frame and added an empty-netter with less than two minutes left to seal the win. Wichita slides to 2-4-1-3 in the StoneWolf Casino Cup Series and just two points ahead of the Oilers in the standings.

Danick Gauthier provided the only scoring for the Thunder in the losing effort. Kevin Carr was spectacular in net for the Oilers, making several key saves down the stretch.

Tulsa had the shot advantage in the first period and took a 1-0 lead at 11:10. Jeff Jubinville got to a loose puck at the red line, came down on a two-on-one and found Adam Pleskach in the crease past a diving Michael Trebish and scored his 32nd of the season. Wichita tried to answer quickly, but Carr made some nice saves including one on Dan Milan, who stepped up the left wing and drove to the net. Matthew Larke committed a late penalty that would carry over into the second, but almost added another on an odd-man break. Grant Rollheiser was up to the task as the final horn of the first rang.

In the second, Wichita came out strong and outshot the Oilers 11-3 through the first half of the frame. Gauthier tied the contest at one at 4:25 with a slap shot from the slot that got through Carr's five-hole. Each team had opportunities on the man advantage, but couldn't connect as both goaltenders stood their ground.

The Oilers scored three times in the third with two of those coming in an eight-second span. After a penalty had just expired on Ian Lowe, Pleskach put home a rebound at the right post for his second of the night and a 2-1 lead. After the next face-off, Brady Ramsay whistled a shot from the right boards just inside the Thunder line that got past Rollheiser to make it 3-1. Wichita had plenty of chances down the stretch, but couldn't solve Carr. RG Flath and Erick Lizon were both stopped late in the third before Tommy Mele added an empty-net tally at 18:03 for the 4-1 win.

Tonight was the final trip for the Thunder to the BOK Center and falls to 1-3-1-2 in the season-series on the road against the Oilers. Gauthier collected his 24th of the season and has points in his last three (1g, 2a). Milan had one assist and three points in his last three games (1g, 2a). Rollheiser, who appeared in his fourth-straight game for the Thunder, suffered the loss stopping 30 of 33 shots. Carr earned the victory, stopping 35 of 36 shots he faced.

Wichita went 0-for-3 on the man advantage. Tulsa went 0-for-4 on the power play.

Wichita finishes the weekend tomorrow night at Quad City starting at 7:05 p.m.

Individual tickets are on sale now. Don't delay! Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com. Stay up-to-date on all the news during the season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.

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ECHL Stories from March 13, 2015


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