INDEPENDENCE, MO (April 15) - Wichita headed to Independence for the final time this season, losing to Kansas City, 3-1, on Friday night at Cable Dahmer Arena.
Connor Walters added his third goal of the year in the losing effort.
After a scoreless first period, the Mavericks got on the board in the second. Ben Johnson tallied a power play goal at 8:11 for his 23rd of the season. He caught a pass across the goal line and beat Olivier Rodrigue.
At 12:28, Keeghan Howdeshell made it 2-0 when a deflected shot from Anthony DeLuca found its way to him near the left post and he slid it over the line.
Walters connected at 19:07 to cut the lead to 2-1. Carter Johnson caught up to a dump-in and found Walters in the slot for his third of the season.
Early in the third, Mike Lee tallied another power play goal. Howdeshell fired a shot off a defenseman in the slot. Lee put home a loose puck from the right faceoff dot to make it 3-1.
Wichita pulled Rodrigue down the stretch, but Matt Greenfield was too tough in the Kansas City net. The Mavericks appeared to tally an empty-net goal at 19:12, but Reid Perepeluk was called for offside.
Walters has goals in back-to-back games. Carter Johnson has five points in his last three games after adding an assist.
The Thunder ends the season tomorrow night against Kansas City starting at 7:05 p.m.
Fandemonium is tomorrow night! Join us for our final game of the regular season on Saturday, April 16 starting at 7:05 p.m. Before the puck drops, players will be recognized on the ice during our annual End of Season Award Ceremony. Prizes and swag will tossed into the stands all game long.
Tickets for our final two home games of the season 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.