How the Wichita Thunder exploited Fort Wayne Komets for Game 2 win in ECHL playoffs
.jpg "The Wichita Thunder hockey team evened up its best-of-5 playoff series against the Fort Wayne Komets with a 5-2 victory at the Wichita Ice Center on Wednesday.")
The Wichita Thunder netted three power play goals en route to a 5-2 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets in Game 2 of the ECHL Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday in front of another rowdy home crowd at the Wichita Ice Center.
In a must-win situation after dropping the first of two games at home, the Thunder responded after Tuesday’s disappointing loss with a rousing performance to even the best-of-5 playoff series. The series shifts to Indiana with Game 3 scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
Wichita coach Bruce Ramsay pinpointed special teams would be a key factor in the series before it began. His words proved prophetic following Wednesday’s game when the Thunder converted three of eight power plays, while killing off six of seven man-advantage opportunities for Fort Wayne.
The first power play goal by Wichita cemented a 2-1 lead halfway through the second period when Noel Hoefenmayer buried a slap shot. But the highlight of the night came just two minutes later when Jeremy McKenna duped a Fort Wayne defender completely and then scored for a 3-1 advance.
Fort Wayne would remain competitive through two periods, as it scrapped a goal back to cut Wichita’s lead to 3-2 entering the final 20 minutes. But the third period belonged to the Thunder.
Wichita converted on another power play five minutes into the third period when Matteo Gennaro finished with a rebound goal for a 4-2 lead. With the Fort Wayne goalkeeper pulled, Wichita’s Spencer Dorowicz controlled a loose puck and scored on an empty net.
This story was originally published June 10, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
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