Logan Nelson’s hat trick leads Thunder to win
For the first time in more than two months, the Thunder wasn’t sweating the final minutes of a hockey game. The opening minutes had a lot to do with that.
Logan Nelson scored twice in the first five minutes on his way to the Thunder’s first hat trick of the season and Wichita defeated Evansville 4-2 on Wednesday night at Intrust Bank Arena.
The Thunder (10-25-4-4) snapped an eight-game losing streak and won by more than a goal for the first time since Nov. 25 and the third time this season. The Thunder won in regulation for the second time since Thanksgiving.
“We kind of had the lead the whole game,” Nelson said. “It was nice, because sometimes we get a little too comfortable and give them a few goals. We kept our heads for the most part and kept our head in the game, and it’s nice to get a win at home.
The Thunder won four of its first six home games but hadn’t won in Wichita since late November. On Wednesday, it didn’t take long for the crowd of 4,256 to get behind the home team thanks to Nelson’s productivity.
Nelson’s first goal paid off a precise pass from Domenic Alberga to put the Thunder ahead after four minutes. Fourteen seconds later, Nelson scored from between the circles and then posed for the crowd, fully aware of his hot streak.
“We’ve had a tough season so far, and we really want to get on a roll,” Nelson said. “You need that confidence in a game when you’re playing well.”
After scoring 33 points in 50 games for Quad City dating to last season, Nelson hadn’t notched a goal in 23 games with the Thunder since being traded to Wichita in November. But he has broken out lately, scoring two goals against Allen on Sunday before his first professional hat trick.
Nelson also assisted on the Thunder’s third first-period goal on Wednesday.
“He’s a guy that if he shoots the puck … he’s going to score,” Thunder coach Kevin McClelland said. “Sometimes he gets a little too fancy with the puck, because he’s got that much skill, but he’s been starting to shoot the puck and he’s getting rewarded.
“He was banged up with a shoulder a little bit there and he’s finally starting to get into shape. But he’s on a roll, so he should shoot everything.”
Nelson’s third goal may have been the Thunder’s most crucial. Evansville cut Wichita’s lead to 3-2 in the second period but drew a four-minute double-minor penalty early in the third.
Nelson scored on the power play to stave off the rally and guide Wichita to a rare multi-goal victory.
“It feels good,” Nelson said. “A couple good plays by my teammates and the puck was just dropping for me. …We’ve just got to stay grounded. Now we’re on to 11. We got our 10th win, now we want 11.”
Evansville | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 |
Wichita | 3 | 0 | 1 | — | 4 |
First period
Scoring—1. Wichita, Nelson (Alberga, Neal), 4:00; 2. Wichita, Nelson (Martell, Milan), 4:14; 3. Wichita, Miller (Nelson, Kerbashian), 13:15; 4. Evansville Hobbs (Harpur), 19:12. Penalties—Wichita, Miller (holding), 7:44; Evansville, Moon (slashing), 8:17.
Second period
Scoring—5. Evansville, Dunn (Himelson, Leveille), 8:23. Penalties—Evansville, Moon (slashing), 1:33; Wichita, Huff (tripping), 4:33; Evansville, Rumble (delay of game), 13:04; Wichita, Martell (cross-checking), 19:32.
Third period
Scoring—6. Wichita, Nelson PP (Isackson, Kerbashian), 6:06. Penalties—Evansville, Sims (high-sticking double minor), 3:01; Evansville, Moon (elbowing), 6:38; Wichita, Nelson (too many men bench minor), 12:57.
Power play—Evansville 0-4, Wichita 1-5. Shots—Evansville 9-12-12—33, Wichita 13-9-3—25. Saves—Evansville, Bengtsberg 21-25; Wichita, Shantz 31-33.
T—2:17. A—4,256.
This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 10:10 PM with the headline "Logan Nelson’s hat trick leads Thunder to win."