Wichita Comes up Short in Shootout Loss to Allen
Published on October 18, 2025 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder opened their 2025-26 season at INTRUST Bank Arena on Saturday, falling to the Allen Americans, 3-2, in a shootout.
Jay Dickman led the way for the Thunder with two helpers while Tyrone Bronte notched his first ECHL goal. Matt Davis suffered the shootout loss in his first professional start, stopping 31 shots.
Wichita opened the scoring with a power-play goal from Kyle Crnkovic at 4:40 of the first period. Dickman faked a wrap-around before centering the puck to the slot. The wide open Crnkovic snapped it past the blocker of Jackson Parsons for the Thunder's first goal of the campaign.
Former Wichita captain Brayden Watts got Allen on the board at 12:45 of the second with a powerplay tally of his own. However, just 54 seconds later, Bronte buried a Dickman pass from the slot off the rush to re-gain the lead for the Thunder.
The Americans came out strong in the third, aided by four consecutive powerplays, and evened the scoring on a two-man advantage when Matt Register hammered home a one-timer from the high slot at 9:38, forcing overtime.
In an eventful extra seven minutes, Wichita was gifted a rare overtime powerplay when Jackson Decker was sent off for holding. The Thunder couldn't capitalize despite a Jack Bar breakaway, which was stopped by Parsons.
With under 30 seconds remaining, Allen's Colton Hargrove ripped a shot past Davis from the right faceoff dot. However, it was ruled on the ice, and confirmed by replay, that Sam Sedley had interfered with the Thunder netminder and the goal was waved off.
In the shootout, Hank Crone scored the winner in the third round, and the Americans came out on top.
After picking up a point, the Thunder (0-0-0-1) will head to the Black Hills to take on Rapid City (1-1-0-0) next weekend for a two-game series starting Friday at 8:05 p.m.
Single game tickets for all games are on sale now. The first game of the season is less than 50 days away. Buy tickets.
Season tickets are still on sale for the 2025-26 season. Lock in your seats and catch all the high paced, hard-hitting action at INTRUST Bank Arena.
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