Jacobs Helps Wichita to Opening Night Win

Wichita, KS (Oct. 12th) - Colin Jacobs scored in the bottom of the fourth round of the shootout to help propel Wichita to a 3-2 win against Idaho on Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena.

The Thunder led by two at one point, but Idaho climbed back into the game and tied it with five minutes to go in the second. Both teams had power play chances down the stretch, but failed to convert. The Thunder had a power play in overtime and a penalty shot from Travis Brown, but couldn't solve Philip Desrosiers.

Jakob Stukel recorded his first professional goal while Stuart Skinner earned his first victory as a pro, stopping 38 of 40 shots. Pierre-Cedric Labrie potted the other marker for the Thunder.

Wichita grabbed a 1-0 lead with just over three minutes left in the first. Stukel intercepted a clearing attempt that John McFarland redirected and beat Desrosiers to make it 1-0.

In the second, Labrie increased the lead to 2-0 as he posted up near the crease and put it in off the left post. The Steelheads scored the next two just 4:47 apart to pull even at two. Brad McClure stole the puck near the Wichita blueline, skated in on a break and put it past Skinner to cut the lead to 2-1. Brady Norrish tied it at two as he found a rebound off of Skinner at the left post.

After a scoreless third period, the Thunder had a great opportunity in overtime when Jeremy Beaudry was pulled down near the left post. Idaho killed off the power play, but committed another violation as Brown was taken down with four seconds remaining. His shot caught the iron and a shootout was needed.

The first seven shooters were denied in the shootout as Brad McClure, Steven McParland, Justin Parizek and Avery Peterson were denied by Skinner. Ryan Van Stralen, Stukel and Colin Larkin were stopped by Desrosiers. Jacobs scored the game-winner in the fourth round as he skated in and beat Desrosiers through the five-hole.

Malcolm Cameron grabbed a win in his 700th game coaching in the ECHL. Larkin earned his first pro point with an assist. Kulevich and McFarland grabbed assists in their first game in a Thunder uniform.

Wichita went 0-for-4 on the power play. Idaho was 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

Wichita closes out Opening Weekend tomorrow night against rival, Allen. Join us at the Toyota Block Party starting at 4 p.m., weather permitted. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Click here to buy tickets!

Season tickets for the 2018-19 campaign are on sale now. Get your seats for just $15 per month. All it takes is a $1 down per seat to reserve yours today. To learn more, click here or contact a Thunder representative at the office today!

Follow along with us on our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter (@wichita_thunder), Snapchat (wichthunder), Instagram (Wichita_Thunder) and LinkedIn.

-Thunder-