Thunder Lose Back-And-Forth Contest vs. Allen
February 21, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS - Despite out-shooting the visitors by a two-to-one margin, Wichita (22-23-4) lost a see-saw battle to the Allen Americans (27-18-4) on Friday night by the final score of 4-3 at INTRUST Bank Arena. RG Flath recorded a pair and Matt Summers had three points in the losing effort. The Thunder are 3-2-1 against the Americans this year with two meetings left during the regular season.
The two teams came out hitting right at the start of the game. Allen got on the board first at the 11:17 mark when Ben Power caught a feed from Spencer Asuchak and put it past David Brown for his first of two on the night. The Thunder appeared to tie the game when the puck was sent on net, but Jake Brenk ruled that Mike Wilson kicked it and the goal was waived off. Wichita answered six minutes later when RG Flath cut through the slot and wristed one past Bryan Pitton for his 17th of the year. Wichita had the better of the play for much of the night in the offensive zone, but Pitton was able to stop several scoring chances from in-close including another from Flath a few minutes later. The two teams entered the second tied at one and Wichita had the advantage in shots 14-8.
In the second period, both teams potted a pair of goals. Allen re-gained the lead right off the opening draw as Power scored just 10 seconds in to make it 2-1. Over the next several minutes, the official sent off a pair of players from each team while also giving the Thunder a four-on-three man advantage twice. Wichita was able to capitalize, scoring two goals in five minutes. The first came from RG Flath at 9:46, his second of the contest on the man advantage just after the first four-on-three came to an end. At 16:56, Matt Summers found a loose puck in the crease and put home a backhand on the power play to take the lead for the first time in the game, up 3-2. Before the next face-off, Allen Head Coach Steve Martinson was assessed a bench minor for obscene language and the Thunder went back to the power play. Allen also had a goal waived off that Asuchak appeared to catch with his stick in the slot. Brenk ruled that he batted the puck in with his hand and immediately made the signal as a disallowed goal. The Americans evened the game, however, when Asuchak got to his own missed shot off the end glass and beat David Brown with a shorthanded goal at 18:37 to tie the contest at three.
Wichita dominated the third period, but couldn't solve Pitton. The Americans then took advantage of its second power play chance when Tomas Klempa was called for a high stick at 6:10. Brian McMillin tipped home a shot from the blue line at 6:50 for the go-ahead goal to make it 4-3. Over the next 12 minutes, the Thunder tilted the ice and had numerous opportunities that Pitton was able to keep out of the net. The Thunder out-shot the Americans 14-3 in the final frame, but couldn't get another past him and the game ended with Allen winning the contest.
Wichita dips back below .500 while the Americans snap their five-game losing streak. Flath records his first two-goal outing of the season and added an assist as well. Summers has goals in back-to-back games with his three-point outing. Martens adds an assist and has helpers in his last three games. Brown takes the loss, stopping 16 of 20 shots. Pitton earns his 15th win of the year, stopping 38 of 41 shots on net.
Wichita went 2-for-6 on the power play. Allen was 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
Wichita finishes its week tomorrow night against the Quad City Mallards at 7:05 p.m.
Individual game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets and mini plans are still available. Don't delay, contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at (316) 264-4625. Stay up-to-date on all the news this off-season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2014
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- Rush Outlast Sundogs In A Perfect Shootout - Rapid City Rush
- Gordon Nets Another Hat-Trick as Oilers Hold off Mallards - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Lose Back-And-Forth Contest vs. Allen - Wichita Thunder
- Gordon Nets Another Hat-Trick as Oilers Hold off Mallards - Tulsa Oilers
- Mavericks Dropped in Denver - Kansas City Mavericks
- Mallards' Comeback Falls Short in Tulsa - Quad City Mallards
- Chill Force OT But Fall in Shootout - St. Charles Chill
- Shots from the Point for February 21, 2014 - CHL
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