Wichita Thunder hockey team looks to snap ECHL losing skid in three-game homestand
A strong start to the season for the Wichita Thunder hockey team has been muted by an eight-game losing streak, which was extended on Sunday with a 5-3 loss to the Utah Grizzlies.
It concluded an ugly five-game road swing, which included four straight losses to Utah, that has dropped the Thunder (10-14, 21 points) to 10th place in the 14-team ECHL Western Conference.
Wichita had started the season off strong, winning eight of nine games at one point in November, seemingly carrying over the momentum from last season’s spirited run to the ECHL playoffs. But the Thunder are 1-8 in December.
A return to Intrust Bank Arena for an upcoming three-game homestand could be what Wichita needs to snap out of its funk with back-to-back games against the Tulsa Oilers at home at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26 and 7 p.m. next Monday, Dec. 27, then a 7 p.m. game next Wednesday, Dec. 29. Tickets are available for Wichita Thunder games at Select-A-Seat.
In his third straight season with the club, 25-year-old forward Peter Crinella is off to the best start of his career with a team-high 11 goals and 11 assists in 14 games. Jay Dickman, a 28-year-old veteran forward, has continued the strong play he delivered last season and has a team-high 15 assists to go along with eight goals in 18 appearances. In his second season back with the Thunder, right winger Brayden Watts is also playing well tied for the team lead with Dickman with 15 helpers in 24 appearances.
This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 6:15 AM.
.jpg)