Wichita Thunder drop ECHL opener to Allen at INTRUST Bank Arena, return to ice Friday

Colton Saucerman tallied three points to help lead the visiting Allen Americans past Wichita 5-3 on Saturday night at INTRUST Bank Arena.

Stefan Fournier and Brayden Watts led the way for the Thunder with a goal and an assist. Barret Kirwin added two assists.

Allen took the first lead of the game just four minutes in via a shot from Kris Myllari got past Evan Buitenhuis. At 14:35, Watts took a feed from Fournier and he tied it 1-1. With one second left in the opening frame, Saucerman gave the Americans a 2-1 advantage as his shot got past Buitenhuis from the blue line for his first goal of the night.

In the second period, Allen pulled ahead with a pair of goals in a five-minute span. Zach Pochiro hammered a one-timer from the slot to make it 3-1. Saucerman recorded his second of the night at 18:59. The puck hit a stick in the slot, popped up in the air and found its way into the net.

Fournier gave the Thunder some life at 11:36 of the third as he pounded home a rebound to make it 4-2. Colton Hargrove extended the lead back to three at 12:41. He collected his own rebound and made it 5-2.

Peter Bates recorded his first goal in a Thunder uniform at 16:25 as he slipped a shot past Logan Flodell to make it 5-3.

Wichita went 2-for-7 on the man advantage but gave up two power play goals on five chances for the Americans.

Fournier collected his 90th ECHL goal. Timur Ibragimov and Jay Dickman each added an assist.

Wichita remains at home Friday at 7:05 p.m. against the Tulsa Oilers.

This story was originally published October 23, 2022 at 1:21 PM.