Late Rally Falls Short in 2-1 Loss at Colorado

Loveland, CO (Dec. 9th) - Head Coach Kevin McClelland returned to a place he once called home, but unfortunately the Thunder (6-15-0-1) fell in a tight contest to Colorado (9-12-2-0) on Wednesday night by the final score of 2-1 at the Budweiser Events Center. Kenton Miller scored a third-period goal to pull the visitors within one. The Thunder had two late power plays that they weren't able to convert on, helping the Eagles to their first win in the season-series.

Grant Rollheiser played an outstanding game in the losing effort, making several highlight reel saves to keep the Thunder in the contest.

Colorado had the shot advantage early, leading 11-0 at one point before Wichita started to find some offense. At 7:08, Everett Sheen put the Eagles on the board with a backhand in the slot to make it 1-0.

Trent Daavetilla recorded his eighth of the season at 17:34 of the second that extended the Colorado lead to 2-0. Wichita held the Eagles power play at bay through the first four chances, but they were able to cash in on their fifth opportunity.

In the third, Miller got to a loose puck in the crease as Eric Levine fell just outside the blue paint that cut the lead to one. Later in the frame, Wichita had two late power plays as Colin Joe and Sean Zimmerman were sent to the box for minor penalties. The Thunder couldn't capitalize with several chances stopped by Levine and the time ran out with Colorado slipping out with the win.

Miller recorded his fifth of the season and first since Thanksgiving Eve. Landon Oslanski led the team with four shots on net and recorded an assist on the Miller tally. Rollheiser takes his sixth loss of the season, stopping 31 of 33 shots on net. Levine earns his first win of the year, stopping 21 of 22 shots he faced.

Wichita went 0-for-6 on the power play. Colorado was 1-for-6 with the man advantage.

Both teams have the day off tomorrow and will resume their rivalry on Friday night starting at 7:05 p.m.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 855-755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com.

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About the ECHL

The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and one Canadian province for its 27th season in 2014-15. There have been 541 players who have started their career in the ECHL have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 who made their NHL debuts in the 2013-14 season. The ECHL had affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2013-14, marking the 17th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

-Thunder-