Allen, TX (Jan. 20th) - Matt DeBlouw scored twice and added an assist, but the Allen Americans hung on for a 5-3 win over Wichita on Friday night at the Allen Event Center.
The Thunder rallied from a 4-1 deficit and almost tied the game late, but Allen added an empty-netter that sealed the victory.
Bryan Moore potted two goals in the first to give the Americans a 2-0 advantage after 20 minutes. His first came at 5:08 when he stole a pass in the left circle and quickly fired it past Drew Owsley. His second came with 33 seconds to go in the first as he got to a rebound in the left circle and beat Owsley.
Wichita got on the board with a power play goal from DeBlouw at 3:45 of the second. He split both Allen defenders at the top of the circles and put a shot past Jamie Murray for his sixth of the season. Moore recorded his third of the game on the power play at 10:08 as he found a loose puck caught in some skates and chopped it in the net to make it 3-1.
In the third, DeBlouw scored his second of the game at 9:38 during an Americans power play. He caught a long-lead pass, stepped around a check and put a backhand past a sprawling Murray to make it 4-2. Doornbosch cut the lead to 4-3 as he stepped into a slap shot at the top of the left circle with less than four minutes left.
DeBlouw almost tied the game with less than three minutes to go, but he mishandled it at the post and Murray jumped on the loose puck. Costello added an empty-net goal with less than a minute left to make it 5-3.
Wichita recorded its ninth shorthanded goal of the season and scored its fourth play in two games against Allen. DeBlouw has seven points in his last three games and his first two-goal game of his career. Owsley suffered the loss, stopping 21 of 25 shots. Murray earned the win, stopping 33 of 36 shots he faced.
Wichita went 1-for-2 on the power play. Allen was 1-for-4 on the man advantage.
The Thunder remains in Allen tomorrow night with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop.
Individual tickets for all Thunder home games are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 855-755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com.
Contact a Thunder representative at the office today to learn more about our great season, group and other ticket packet opportunities!
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