Thunder Travels To Black Hills To Face Rush

RAPID CITY, SD (March 9) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, heads back on the road for the next four games starting tonight in the Black Hills at 8:05 p.m. to face Rapid City. 

This is the ninth meeting of the season between the Thunder and the Rush. Wichita is 6-2-0 this year against Rapid City. All-time, the Thunder are 55-49-12 against the Rush and 22-27-6 on the road against Rapid City.

Both teams are looking to get back into the win column. The Thunder are looking to snap a seven-game winless skid while the Rush are 0-3-0 in their last three outings. 

Wichita dropped a pair of home games last weekend to Utah. Rapid City fell on the road in Allen in its three-game set. 

The Thunder are tied for third with Allen, but the Americans have a better winning percentage. Rapid City sits in sixth place with 49 points. 

Wichita has had success on the power play in the season-series against the Rush, going 15-for-65 on the man advantage (36.1%). Rapid City is ranked 28th in the league on the penalty kill, giving up 57 goals on 217 times shorthanded (73.7%).

On the penalty kill, the Thunder are 31-for-38 against Rapid City, good for a 81.6% clip. Overall, Wichita is ranked seventh in the league, killing off 184 of 227 times shorthanded (82.8%).

Wichita has been giving up a lot of shots as of late. Since February 4, the Thunder have surrendered 50 shots in five of its last 14 games and three of the last four. Wichita is 21-20-5 when being outshot by its opponent. 

THUNDERBOLTS...Quinn Preston is tied for eighth among rookies with 19 goals and sixth in rookie scoring with 46 points...Peter Bates has assists in two of his last three outings...Mark Liwiski is third in the league in penalty minutes (151)...Wichita is 18-3-1 when leading after two...Wichita is 11-6-5 in one-goal games...Wichita is 4-1-1 when tied after two...

RUSH NOTES – Rapid City acquired defenseman Jason Horvath for Ryan Zuhlsdorf on Tuesday and signed rookie forward Blake Bennett...Matt Marcinew is 15th in the league with 54 points and fifth in shots with 199...

Nickelodeon Baby Shark's Big Show is coming on Saturday, March 18. Get the JAW-some family four pack, which is four goal-zone tickets and two mini sticks for just $60. Use the code NICK when you check out HERE. Meet Baby Shark on the concourse and get your picture taken.

We're honoring the big win by the Kansas City Chiefs with Celebration Night, presented by Whiskey Dicks Bar & Grill. Chiefs Legend Christian Okoye will be in attendance. Fans can buy a special VIP package for just $40, which includes tickets to the game, a postgame meet-and-greet, an autograph and pictures with him. Click HERE to learn more. Use the code CHAMPS at checkout HERE.

Single game tickets are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets online HERE, at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena or by calling the Thunder office at 316-264-4625.

Several outstanding promotions remain on our schedule for the season. Click HERE to learn more.