Thunder Heads West to Start Series vs. Utah
March 29, 2023 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita Thunder defend against the Utah Grizzlies
(Wichita Thunder)
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, continues a six-game road trip tonight at 8:10 p.m. against the Utah Grizzlies.
This is the third meeting of the season between the Thunder and the Grizzlies. Utah took both contests earlier this month in Wichita, winning 5-4 in overtime on March 3 and a 5-2 win on March 5.
All-time, the Thunder are 12-25-6 against the Grizzlies and 2-13-4 on the road against Utah.
Wichita is coming off a 4-2 win last Saturday night against Iowa. The Grizzlies lost to the Cyclones at home last Saturday, 6-3. The Thunder are 3-0-1 over their last four games while Cincinnati is 0-4-0 over that same stretch.
This week could have big implications for the playoff race in the Mountain Division. Wichita enters tonight with 66 points through 64 games. Utah sits in fifth place with 61 points through 63 games. Kansas City also has 66 points, but is in second above the Thunder with a higher winning percentage (.524) and one game in hand on the Thunder.
Allen lurks in fourth place with 62 points and has two games in hand on Wichita. Rapid City is tied for fifth with Utah in both points (61) and winning percentage (.484).
THUNDERBOLTS...Connor Walters is playing his 100th ECHL game tonight...Gavin Gould has eight points in 11 games since coming over from Allen...Mark Liwiski is tied for second in the league in penalty minutes (185)...Wichita is 19-6-3 when scoring first...Wichita is second at home on the power play (27.9%)...Wichita is third overall on the penalty kill (83.7%)...
UTAH NOTES - Johnny Walker is fourth in the league in penalty minutes (169)...Cameron Wright is second in the league in minor penalties, first in game-winning goals (8) and fourth in shots (243)...Tarun Fizer is third among rookies with 10 power play goals and third among rookies with 192 shots...Utah is 20-6-0 when scoring first...Utah is being outscored 81-57 in the third period...Utah is 12-1-0 when leading after one...
Images from this story
 Wichita Thunder defend against the Utah Grizzlies |
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 29, 2023
- Royals Earn Point, Struck Down by Thunder in Overtime, 4-3 - Reading Royals
- Grizzlies Dominate Second Period in 8-5 Wednesday Win - Utah Grizzlies
- Railers' Comeback Falls Short, Lose in Overtime to Lions 5-4 - Worcester Railers HC
- Second Period Does Thunder in on Wednesday Night - Wichita Thunder
- Steelheads Victorious in Tenth Straight Game Defeating Kansas City 6-0 - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators Down Everblades, 4-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Blades Open Road Trip with Loss to Gladiators - Florida Everblades
- Thunder Stun Royals in OT, 4-3 - Adirondack Thunder
- Oilers Sign Rookie Forward Kalvyn Watson - Tulsa Oilers
- Wichita Adds Forward, Defenseman from Acadie-Bathurst - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - March 29 - ECHL
- Americans Sign Young Defenseman - Allen Americans
- Chad Macleod Tabbed as Cyclones Assistant Coach - Cincinnati Cyclones
- A Must-Win Game Tonight in Worcester - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Forward Cristiano DiGiacinto Returns from AHL Hartford - Jacksonville Icemen
- Grizzlies Gameday: Wichita at Utah at Maverik Center for Series Opener - Utah Grizzlies
- Thunder Heads West to Start Series vs. Utah - Wichita Thunder
- Kansas City Mavericks Playoff Tickets on Sale Today - Kansas City Mavericks
- Royals Return Home for Wild Wednesday Clash with Thunder - Reading Royals
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.
