Wichita Snaps Winless Skid With 2-1 Victory In KC

INDEPENDENCE, MO (Jan. 8) - Wichita closed its weekend on Saturday night in Independence, Missouri, holding off Kansas City by the final of 2-1 at Cable Dahmer Arena. The victory snaps a 14-game winless skid for the Thunder. 

Garrett Schmitz and Tyler Jeanson provided the offense for Wichita while Olivier Rodrigue claimed his first ECHL win with 37 saves. 

Schmitz put the Thunder on the board in the first period. Brayden Watts slid a pass across the faceoff dots and he ripped a shot on the power play for his second of the season. 

Kansas City outshot the Thunder 15-5 in the second. Rodrigue made some tough saves, including several during a two-man advantage early in the frame. 

Jeanson gave Wichita a 2-0 advantage midway through the third. He caught a long outlet pass from David Thomson, got behind the Mavericks defense and beat Andrew Shortridge through the five-hole on a breakaway for his third of the year. 

Bailey Conger cut the lead to 2-1 with his second of the year. He put home a loose puck near the top of the crease at 14 minutes to get Kansas City back in the game. 

The Mavericks had a late offensive-zone faceoff and pulled Shortridge with 1:28 left in the game. Wichita smothered the Mavericks and held on for the win. 

Wichita has power play goals in five-straight games. The Thunder penalty kill was outstanding, killing off all eight chances for the Mavericks this weekend. Watts recorded his team-leading 23rd assist of the season and has points in eight-straight games. Thomson netted his first pro point with an assist. 

The Thunder close a five-game series on Tuesday night against Kansas City at Cable Dahmer Arena starting at 7:05 p.m.

Single game tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Wichita Thunder office located at 505 W. Maple, Suite 100, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekday game days, the Thunder office closes at 4 p.m. Click here to purchase online!

Fans can also purchase tickets at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and starting at noon on weekend game days. 

Season tickets for the 2021-22 season are still available. Join Thunder Nation today and lock in your seat(s) for all 36 home games at INTRUST Bank Arena. For more information, click HERE.