Watts Scores Late to Force OT; Mavs Win, 4-3
January 2, 2022 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita Thunder goaltender Jake Theut eyes the puck against the Kansas City Mavericks
(Wichita Thunder)
WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita opened up 2022 on Saturday night against Kansas City, losing in overtime by a 4-3 final at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Brayden Watts and Billy Exell lead the way for the Thunder with two points each while Jake Theut stopped a season-high 59 shots.
After a scoreless first period, Wichita jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second. Brendan van Riemsdyk made it 1-0 at 2:08 as he tipped home a shot from Exell near the front of the net for his third of the season. Just 28 seconds later, Michal Stinil put home a rebound off a shot from Watts. The goal had to be reviewed but was a good goal and made it 2-0.
At 6:38, Nick Pastujov fired a wrist shot from the slot and beat Theut to cut the lead to 2-1. Kansas City outshot the Thunder 23-15 in the second period.
The Mavericks tied the game during a two-man advantage in the third. Marcus Crawford hammered a shot from the deep slot past Theut for his fourth of the season.
At 18:11, Lane Scheidl gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead as he found a rebound near the left post and slid it past Theut.
With 30 seconds left, Bryan Lemos fired a shot into the stands and gave the Thunder a power play chance. Brayden Watts put home his seventh of the year at 19:31 and tied the game.
In overtime, Crawford tallied his second of the contest at 2:29 to give the Mavericks a 4-3 win. He caught a pass from Ben Johnson, switched on the right wall and fired a shot past Theut for the victory.
With the loss, the Thunder's winless skid hits 13. Watts extended his point-streak to six games with a goal and an assist. Carter Johnson added an assist, giving him points in his last six games. Stinil has points in three-straight. Exell has three points in his last two games.
Wichita heads back on the road for the next three against Kansas City starting on January 7.
Single game tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Wichita Thunder office located at 505 W. Maple, Suite 100, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekday game days, the Thunder office closes at 4 p.m. Click here to purchase online!
Fans can also purchase tickets at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and starting at noon on weekend game days.
Season tickets for the 2021-22 season are still available. Join Thunder Nation today and lock in your seat(s) for all 36 home games at INTRUST Bank Arena.
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 Wichita Thunder goaltender Jake Theut eyes the puck against the Kansas City Mavericks |
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