Thunder’s path to playoffs is clear: Must win

The Thunder has a lot of work remaining to reach the playoffs, but at least there isn’t much math involved.

There are some complicated scenarios that stretch simplicity, but Wichita’s path to the postseason is mostly straightforward – win and get in.

Two of the Thunder’s three remaining games are against Tulsa, which leads Wichita by three points for the final playoff spot from the ECHL Central Division.

If the Thunder beats Tulsa in regulation on Wednesday and again on Friday, Wichita goes into Sunday’s season finale with more points than Tulsa and an opportunity to clinch a spot with a win against Allen and no help.

One regulation loss to Tulsa eliminates the Thunder, and an overtime or shootout win on Wednesday opens up more possibilities.

“We like what we have in front of us to try to finish this off,” Thunder coach Kevin McClelland said.

Urgency has suited the Thunder well so far. Even though Wichita could conceivably have a postseason bid already wrapped up if not for a six-game losing streak, it has staved off elimination by winning its last two games.

Each of the victories was significant, too. The losing streak ended with a shootout win over division-champion Allen last week and Wichita beat Brampton 5-1 on Saturday, its fourth win this season by four or more goals.

The Thunder can prove its recent turnaround by beating Tulsa. The Oilers have beaten Wichita 10 times in 12 games, and the Thunder hasn’t won in the rivalry since Dec. 17.

Tulsa has beaten Wichita four straight times by a combined score of 20-7.

The Thunder’s nine goals in its last two games are its most in consecutive games since two wins over Allen before the losing streak began.

“I think we had a very good forecheck and we didn’t give them a lot,” defenseman Mike Wilson said after Saturday’s win against Brampton. “Hopefully we can keep that going into Wednesday’s game against Tulsa, because it’s a pretty big game.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Thunder’s path to playoffs is clear: Must win."