Thunder loses another road game, returns home for stretch run
Missouri scored two second-period power-play goals to take the lead and went on to beat the Thunder 5-2 on Saturday night in Independence, Mo., handing Wichita its fifth consecutive loss.
The Thunder trailed 1-0 after the opening period, then scored two quick goals in the second period by Justin Bernhardt and Todd Hosmer for a 2-1 lead.
Missouri pulled even when Tyler Currier scored while playing 5-on-4 at 5:36. The Thunder killed off two more penalties, but Ludwig Karlsson’s goal at 16:18 while playing with a man advantage gave the Mavericks a 3-2 lead.
The margin remained one goal until a pair of empty-night goals by Missouri’s Lindsay Sparks.
The goal was Wichita’s final road game of the regular season. The Thunder begins a six-game homestand on Sunday against Tulsa, which is three points ahead of Wichita in the ECHL Central Division standings. The Oilers earned a point Saturday night with an overtime loss to Allen, and is in fourth place in the Central. The top four teams make the playoffs.
Wichita | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 |
Missouri | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 5 |
First period — 1, Missouri, Courtney 32 (Sparks, Stephenson), 4:59. Penalties — Allicock, Mo (too many men), 7:31; Klotz Wic (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:15; Gimblett Mo (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:15; Klotz Wic (fighting major), 16:18; Gimblett Mo (fighting major), 16:18.
Second period — 2, Wichita, Bernhardt 13 (Gauthier), 0:58. 3, Wichita, Hosmer 21 (Kashirsky), 3:09. 4, Missouri, Currier 5 (Karlsson, Alber), 5:36 (pp). 5, Missouri, Karlsson 11 (Thinel, Owens), 16:18 (pp). Penalties — Gauthier Wic (hooking), 3:56; Meland Wic (hooking), 7:53; Flath Wic (cross-checking), 8:49; Trebish Wic (boarding, double roughing), 16:03; Sparks Mo (double roughing), 16:03.
Third period — 6, Missouri, Sparks 20 (Thinel, Owens), 17:54 (en). 7, Missouri, Sparks 21 (Courtney, Thinel), 19:03 (en). Penalties — Hosmer Wic (slashing), 10:05..
Power plays — Wichita 0-1, Missouri 2-5.
Shots by period — Wichita 12-8-7 — 27; Missouri 9-11-5 — 25.
Goalies — Wichita, Rollheiser, 23 shots, 20 saves. Missouri, Robinson, 23 shots, 21 saves; Clemente, 4 shots, 4 saves.
T — 2:25. A — 5,800.
Oilers at Thunder
When: 5:05 p.m. Sunday
Where: Intrust Bank Arena
Records: Tulsa 33-27-2-3, Wichita 30-28-2-6
Broadcast: Wichitathunder.com
This story was originally published March 28, 2015 at 10:48 PM with the headline "Thunder loses another road game, returns home for stretch run."