Late Power Play Goal Pushes Iowa Past Wichita

CORALVILLE, IA (Mar. 22) – Wichita began a four-game road trip on Friday night, losing to Iowa, 2-1, at Xtream Arena. 

Dillon Boucher scored the lone goal for the Thunder. Trevor Gorsuch made 29 saves in the losing effort. 

In the first, Jonny Sorenson put the Heartlanders up 1-0. Iowa created some pressure down low. Pavel Novak fed a pass to the slot and Sorenson fired a shot that just beat Gorsuch underneath the arm.

Boucher tied the game at 3:56 of the second. Nolan Kneen unloaded a slap shot from the right point and Boucher tipped it past Peyton Jones for his seventh of the year. 

Jones was outstanding in the frame, stopping four grade-A scoring chances. Jake Wahlin, Jay Dickman and Mitchell Russell each had quality scoring opportunities, but Jones had the answer at every turn.

The Heartlanders took advantage of a late penalty against Shane Kuzmeski. He was called for slashing with less than four minutes remaining in regulation. Novak scored the eventual game-winner at 16:25 with a wrist shot from the right circle. 

The Thunder had several late chances, but Jones stood on his head down the stretch. He made 13 saves in the final frame and held off the late charge from the Thunder. 

Wichita went 0-for-3 on the power play. Iowa was 1-for-2 on the man advantage. 

Boucher recorded his first goal since March 2. Lleyton Moore tallied his 27th assist of the year and has points in three-straight. Kneen has five assists in his last six games. 

Wichita remains in Coralville tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. to face Iowa.

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