Early Hole Dooms Thunder in Loss to Utah

Wichita, KS (Nov. 9th) - Wichita closed out a three-game mini-series on Friday night against Utah, falling by the final of 6-3 at INTRUST Bank Arena.

The Thunder couldn't climb out of an early 3-0 hole as the Grizzlies scored three in the opening frame. Wichita cut the lead to two on three separate occasions, but were unable to get any closer.

Greg Chase had a goal and an assist while PC Labrie and Steven Iacobellis each collected two helpers in the losing effort.

In the first, Matt Berry got the scoring started just 1:43 into the contest. He recorded the first of two power play goals on the night for the Grizzlies as he found a rebound at the left circle and beat Dylan Wells. Austin Carroll made it 2-0 at 5:12 as he caught a centering pass between two defensemen and recorded his fourth of the year. Berry notched his second of the game at 13:40 as he found himself wide open in front of Wells and beat him upstairs to make it 3-0. That would be it for Wells as Stuart Skinner came on in relief.

Ralph Cuddemi gave Wichita some life early in the second. He fired a wrist shot from the left circle and made it 3-1 with a power play tally. The Grizzlies answered at 9:47 when Cole Ully buried a wrist shot from the left face-off circle for his first of two and a 4-1 lead.

Jeremy Beaudry cut the lead to 4-2 with his first of the season at 1:38 of the third. He unloaded a long wrist shot that got through traffic and beat Kevin Carr. Two minutes later, Ully was awarded a penalty shot as he stepped away from Travis Brown. He came down and beat Skinner to make it 5-2. Chase lit the lamp for the first time this season at 7:12 to make it 5-3. Wichita pulled Skinner for the extra attacker late in the frame, but Jake Marchment found an empty net and stopped any idea of a comeback bid for the Thunder.

Labrie takes over the team-lead in points with two helpers in the contest and has eight points on the season. Cuddemi has goals in back-to-back games. Iacobellis has three points in his last two outings.

Wichita remains at home at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday afternoon for another meeting against rival, Allen. Sunday is Allstate Insurance Buy-In and Make-A-Wish Night. Head over to Eddy's Allstate Insurance or any Eddy's Everything dealership to get your complimentary upper level ticket that you can exchange for a ticket to the game.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Season tickets are still available for purchase. Get your seats for just $15 per month. All it takes is a $1 deposit per seat to reserve yours today. To learn more, click here or contact a Thunder representative at the office today!

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