Allen, TX (Oct. 20th) - Dyson Stevenson netted two goals, Steven Iacobellis recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick and Stuart Skinner snagged his third win of the year as Wichita spoiled Allen's home opener with a 4-1 win on Saturday night.
The two teams combined for 112 penalty minutes and 16 power play opportunities. 49 minutes came in the third period.
Jared Wilson added two assists and Jakob Stukel recorded his second of the season.
Stevenson got the scoring started at 4:54 of the first. He caught up to a loose puck, carried to the net and as he was getting hauled down, slid it past C.J. Motte. HIs second came at 10:30 when Iacobellis caught a long lead pass and fed Stevenson for a one-timer.
Wichita increased their lead in the second with goals from Iacobellis and Stukel. Iacobellis made it 3-0 at 9:43 as he fired a rocket past Motte. Allen got one back at 12:28 as Alex Breton put a one-timer past Stuart Skinner to make it 3-1. Stukel re-gained a three-goal lead for the Thunder, driving wide and slid a backhand through Motte near the left post.
Tempers started to flare with two minutes to go in the frame. Two separate altercations erupted as Stevenson tangled with Josh Atkinson while Tyler Elbrecht went with Zach Pochiro.
Allen appeared to cut the lead to two with less than a minute to go, but the whistle was blown due to an altercation behind the play with PC Labrie and Joel Chouinard.
The rough stuff continued into the third period when Labrie and Josh Thrower went at it. His brother, Dalton, got involved and another melee ensued. Dalton Thrower was assessed 27 penalty minutes and sent to the dressing room.
The two teams couldn't light the lamp in the third and the Thunder grabbed a 4-1 victory.
Stevenson has four goals in his last two games. Iacobellis had a goal, an assist and a fight in his first contest of the season. Skinner improved to 3-0-0-0, stopping 27 shots on net.
Wichita was 1-for-8 on the power play. Allen went 0-for-8 on the man advantage.
The Thunder have the week off and will travel to Tulsa on Saturday, October 27th to face the Oilers for the first time this season.
The Thunder's next home game is November 4th when the Utah Grizzlies make their first trip of the season to the Air Capital. November 4th is Military Appreciation Night, presented by Spirit Aerosystems. Join us before the game for the Air Force vs. Marines at 2 p.m. All active military with a valid ID get a complimentary ticket to the game.
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!
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