Utah Takes Special Teams Battle, 7-3
January 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
West Valley, UT - In their first-ever meeting on Friday night, Wichita (9-23-1-4) couldn't overcome a quick start from Utah (21-13-2-0) and lost by the final score of 7-3 at the Maverik Center. The Grizzlies jumped out a three-goal cushion before the Thunder got on the board.
Andy Huff had a pair of goals to lead the Thunder while Christian Isackson added his fifth of the season.
Special teams dominated the outcome as the two teams combined for 14 power plays. Barry Almeida put the Grizzlies on the board three minutes into the contest on the man advantage for his first of two. He added his second of the period at 6:45 after Shantz tried to come out of the net to play a dump-in and he found the net to make it 2-0. At 10:30, Utah tacked on another from Roberts Lipsbergs during a scramble in front of the net.
In the second, Isackson appeared to score during a delayed penalty but the goal was waived off as Ian Lowe was knocked into Ryan Faragher. Wichita went on the man advantage and this time, Isackson found the net at 1:08 and cut the lead to 3-1. The Grizzlies answered two minutes later during a five-on-three power play as T.J. Syner redirected a pass from Alex Krushelnyski past Shantz. Andy Huff buried a wrist shot from the left circle at 8:22 to make it 4-2. Utah upped the lead once again as Josh Macdonald recorded his first of two at 10:20 on the power play.
Utah continued to find an answer for the Thunder down the stretch, outscoring Wichita 2-1 in the final frame. Macdonald netted his second of the night on a breakaway at 4:11 to make it 6-2. Huff potted his second of the game at 12:07 that made it 6-3. Charles Sarault closed the scoring at 14:13 with his eighth of the season.
Huff had his second two-goal outing of the season. Kenton Miller added an assist, giving him helpers in three-straight games. Lowe also added a helper, giving him points in four of the last five games (1g, 4). Shantz suffers the loss, stopping 24 of 31 shots. Faragher claims his 16 win of the season, stopping 18 of 21 shots he faced.
Wichita went 1-for-6 on the man advantage and has power play goals in five-straight games. Utah went 3-for-8.
The Thunder remains in Utah tomorrow night to face the Grizzlies starting at 8:05 p.m. CST.
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.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from January 16, 2016
- Mavericks Split Weekend Series against Eagles - Missouri Falls 5-3 In - Kansas City Mavericks
- Mychan and Karlsson Each Net a Pair of Goals in Eagles 5-3 Victory - Colorado Eagles
- Poulin OT Goal, Traversa Hat Trick Gives Aces 5-4 Win - Alaska Aces
- Americans Erase Early Deficit, Defeat Cincinnati 3-2 - Allen Americans
- Mallards Edge IceMen in Front of 8,229 on Star Wars Night - Evansville IceMen
- Mallards Edge IceMen in Front of 8,229 on Star Wars Night - Evansville IceMen
- Ruby Turns in a Gem of a Performance as Everblades Edge Beast in Overtime - Brampton Beast
- Rush Fall in Defensive Showdown - Rapid City Rush
- Monarchs Sunk by Admirals, 3-2, in Overtime - Manchester Monarchs
- Cyclones Strong Defensively, Fall to Defending Champs - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Dziurzynski Scores Twice in 5-3 Loss to Atlanta - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Mallards Edge Evansville 2-1 - Quad City Mallards
- Lynch Propels Everblades to 2-1 Overtime Win over Brampton - Florida Everblades
- Massa, Solar Bears Blank Fuel 2-0 - Indy Fuel
- Shutout Table Turned on Royals in Adirondack, 2-0 - Reading Royals
- Gladiators Roast Swamp Rabbits 5-3 Saturday - Atlanta Gladiators
- Rays Storm Back in Thrilling Game, Fall to Aces 5-4 in Overtime - South Carolina Stingrays
- Walleye Push Win Streak to Five Straight with 4-3 Victory over Wheeling - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers Claw Back, But Fall 4-3 in Toledo - Wheeling Nailers
- Norfolk Blows Two-Goal Lead Late Before Loiseau Wins It in Overtime - Norfolk Admirals
- Nailers at Walleye Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Game Notes: January 16 vs Allen - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Faille Recalled from Solar Bears to Marlies - Orlando Solar Bears
- ECHL Transactions - January 16 - ECHL
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspensions - ECHL
- Oilers at Steelheads Tonight: Game Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Preview: Swamp Rabbits Head Down I-85 to Face Atlanta Tonight - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Game Day Capsule: Wichita at Utah, January 16th - Wichita Thunder
- Game Day Preview: Allen vs. Cincinnati - Allen Americans
- Game Preview: Alaska at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Gameday: Adirondack vs. Reading - Adirondack Thunder
- Cyclones Acquire Blazek, Mele from Norfolk - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Admirals Trade Mele, Blazek to Cincinnati for Defenseman Mike Ratchuk - Norfolk Admirals
- ECHL Today - January 16 - ECHL
- Utah Takes Special Teams Battle, 7-3 - Wichita Thunder
- Steelheads Take Down Tulsa- Idaho Moves to 8-6-3 at Home - Idaho Steelheads
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.
