Thunder offense running on empty in shutout

There are only so many ways to split two hockey teams, and the Thunder can’t figure out how to consistently score – or sometimes how to score at all – in any of them.

Wichita failed during 5-on-5, 4-on-4, 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 during Friday night’s 3-0 loss to Allen at Intrust Bank Arena. The Thunder took 44 shots but was felled by Allen goaltender Riley Gill, some near misses and occasionally dysfunctional playmaking.

Oh, and a continuously sinking power play. After failing on four tries on Friday, including 90 seconds of 5-on-3 during the third period, Wichita’s percentage fell to 3.4 (2 for 59), last in the 28-team ECHL. Allen scored twice on five power-play attempts.

“If we start scoring power-play goals, we’re going to be in games,” Thunder coach Kevin McClelland said. “Look at it. Games that we lose by one goal, we’re going oh-for, and the other team is going one or two power-play goals. It’s killing us right now. Guys that are on that power play need to get things done.

“I wouldn’t think after 15 games you’d look and see a couple guys on our team with zero goals. That’s unbelievable. We can’t go and do it for them. At the end of the day, they’ve got to find a way to get break that monkey off the back and get it done.”

Forwards Danick Gauthier, Joey Sides, Anthony Deluca and Michael Neal have each played at least 14 games while combining for two goals. Sides and Gauthier, who combined for 142 points in their last full ECHL seasons, each has no goals.

The power play, while structured, is designed to spread the wealth of a higher-volume of shots, giving scorers chances to create on their own or position themselves near the net in unguarded passing lanes or for rebound opportunities.

The Thunder rarely discovers that level of organization without a defenseman adept at manning the point. Turnovers often lead to scoring chances for the opponent, and Wichita appears just as hesitant with greater odds in its favor, like during Friday’s 5-on-3.

“We’ve got two (power-play goals) on about 60 chances. That’s ridiculous,” McClelland said. “It’s not like we don’t have the guys – maybe on the back end (defensemen) we don’t, but up front we have guys that should be able to score. The bottom line is, the guys who are getting paid to score here aren’t scoring. Eventually, that’s going to have to find a solution.”

Friday’s game shifted when Allen scored its first power-play goal in the second period to take a 2-0 lead. The Thunder outshot Allen 21-7 in the first period, but after three shots hit the post, Gill steadied and Allen’s offense took control.

Allen had three power-play chances in the second period, narrowing the shot discrepancy and keeping the Thunder from building upon its high-quantity start.

“It definitely kind of puts a halt to the momentum of the overall game,” Sides said. “It’s just tough killing penalties. We don’t like to be doing that, and they’re a very offensive team.”

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 10:53 PM with the headline "Thunder offense running on empty in shutout."