Wichita Closes Season with Loss at Colorado
April 8, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Loveland, CO - Wichita closed the regular season on Saturday night, falling to Colorado by the final of 5-1 at the Budweiser Events Center.
With the loss, Wichita will face the Eagles in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs as the Thunder will be the four-seed.
The Eagles jumped out to a four-goal advantage and didn't allow Wichita a chance to rally like they had done in the previous two meetings at the BEC.
Ryan Van Stralen netted the lone goal for the Thunder in the second with assists to Etienne Boutet and Jeremy Beaudry.
Colorado raced out to a three-goal cushion in the first eight minutes of the game. Michael Joly, Brady Shaw and Matt Register all found the back of the net to make it 3-0. Rookie netminder Dylan Wells was lifted and Shane Starrett came on in relief.
In the second, Matt Garbowsky scored at 5:02 to make it 4-0 as he found a loose puck near the left post. Van Stralen broke the shutout bid for Joe Cannata at 16:51 as he stuck with a rebound and slid it through for his second goal of the weekend.
Joly re-gained a four-goal lead at 2:14 of the third during a two-on-one rush for his second of the contest and made it 5-1.
Van Stralen recorded his eighth of the season and has 15 points (8g, 7a) in 16 games.
Wichita went 0-for-3 on the power play. Colorado was 1-for-2 on the man advantage.
The opening round schedule of the Kelly Cup Playoffs will be announced tomorrow. Ticket information for home playoff games will be announced on Sunday as well.
Season tickets for the 2018-19 campaign are on sale now. Get your seats for just $15 per month. All it takes is a $1 down per seat to reserve yours today. To learn more, click here or contact a Thunder representative at the office today!
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ECHL Stories from April 8, 2018
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