Sakaris, Huff and Baptista form solid line for Thunder

After he scored two goals in a win over Colorado last weekend, Thunder forward Peter Sakaris acknowledged linemates Andy Huff and Mason Baptista. Surprisingly, it didn’t begin an endless cycle of gratitude.

If one of Sakaris, Huff or Baptista is involved in a positive play for the Thunder, odds are at least one of the other two inserts his name, too. The three have combined for six goals through eight games, and from those goals have come seven assists from the other two players.

The line has played so well together that coach Kevin McClelland has at least considered splitting them up to infuse other groups with a similar spark. But a better idea has slowly revealed itself – keep the trio together and see how good they can become.

“With the guys I’ve been playing with, Huff and Batista, those guys are working hard, moving their feet, getting open,” Sakaris said. “I think the three of us play well together, and we’re successful just by working hard and doing the little things right.”

All three have a rating of at least plus-four, which is as high as the next three Thunder players combined – the only one close is defenseman Dan Milan, who is a plus-2.

The line’s success is a story of chemistry being natural, not learned. The three found cohesion immediately and with little collective experience, as they totaled 121 professional games prior to this season, all but 18 from Sakaris.

“Sometimes you find that thing where everyone is clicking at the same time and it works out well,” Huff said.

Baptista, at 25, is two years older than Sakaris and Huff. The three are similar in age and intangibles as arguably three of the hardest-working Thunder players, but their differences lend themselves to unity, too.

“I have a little bit more size than the other two,” said the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Huff. “They might have a little more speed or a little more finesse. I think everyone kind of brings their own somewhat unique skill set, so that helps. But it is somewhat similar as well, in terms of work ethic and things like that.”

So far, the dynamic nature of the Thunder’s most inexperienced line hasn’t emerged from the veterans. Sakaris and Huff are the only players with more than four points, and Baptista has scored four to tie for third.

They don’t seem worried, though, about setting an example.

“I’m not looking to do that by any means,” Huff said. “I’m just focused on worrying about the process and on trying to do things right and stuff like that. Hopefully that translates into success individually and for the team.

“You can’t expect the older guys on the team to go with the same style as some of the younger guys do. I just think that’s our role right now and that’s what we’re sticking with.”

Mavericks 1, Thunder 0 — Matt Finn’s goal at 3:32 of the first period turned out to be the game’s only score in Missouri’s victory Saturday night in Independence, Mo.

Finn, a defenseman, was play his first game with the Mavericks after being sent down from Bridgeport.

Wichita outshot Missouri 25-20, the second time in nine games the Thunder has taken more shots than its opponent.

Mavericks goalie Parker Milner made 25 saves in the shutout. The Thunder has scored one goal in three games against Missouri.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 10:29 PM with the headline "Sakaris, Huff and Baptista form solid line for Thunder."