Russell Scores Twice in OT Loss at Tulsa

TULSA, OK (Feb. 1) – Mitchell Russell scored a pair of goals on Saturday night, but it wasn't enough as Wichita lost in overtime to Tulsa, 4-3, at the BOK Center.

Alex Gritz recorded his first goal in a Thunder uniform while Michal Stinil and Peter Bates also added assists. Gabriel Carriere suffered the loss, stopping 39 shots.

Wichita got off to a quick start, scoring just 32 seconds into the game. Russell started an odd man rush and buried a wrist shot over Talyn Boyko's glove to make it 1-0. 

Gritz increased the lead to 2-0 at 5:33 of the second. Declan Smith sent a pass into the slot. Gritz reached out and redirected it past Boyko with one hand on his stick for his first in a Thunder uniform. 

Duggie Lagrone cut the lead in half at 11:13. Austin Albrecht fought off a defenseman below the Wichita goal line. He centered it into the slot and Lagrone hammered it past Carriere for a shorthanded marker. 

Tulsa was awarded a four-minute power play when Jay Dickman caught Reid Petryk in the face with his stick. Andrew Lucas tied the game at 8:37 of the third. Wichita failed to clear the puck out of the zone and he put a one-timer from the slot past Carriere on the man advantage.

Russell netted his second at 11:58 to make it 3-2. T.J. Lloyd carried the puck into the zone, found Luke Grainger in the high slot. He fed it back to the left hashmark and Russell potted his ninth of the season. 

Petryk tallied his ninth of the year at 16:49 and tied the game at three. Lucas carried it through traffic and found Petryk at the top of the crease. 

In the extra session, Jeremie Biakabutuka scored the game-winner at 6:10. Easton Brodzinski fired a pass from the left wall into the slot and Biakabutuka redirected it past Carriere. 

Russell finished the weekend with four goals in two games. Stinil extended his point-streak to five (1g, 7a). Gritz tallied his first ECHL goal of his career. Bates recorded his team-leading 33rd assist of the season. 

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

The Thunder closes their seven-game road trip with a pair of games next weekend in Texas against Allen.

Our next home game is Tuesday, February 11 as we return to INTRUST Bank Arena. Join us for another Ollie's Bargain Outlet Winning Weeknight and get four tickets and a $20 gift card to Ollie's for just $80. Click HERE to purchase today!

Suiteheart Date Night is approaching fast. Take your significant other to a Thunder game and watch the fast-paced action while enjoying Valentine's Day. Click HERE to request a call.

Scout Night is coming fast as well. Come join us for Star Wars Night on Saturday, February 15 and get a special Scout ticket package. This includes a ticket to the game and a special Scout patch. Click HERE to purchase.

Our first-ever Pilates on Ice is coming on Saturday, February 15. Enjoy a pre-game Pilates class on the same ice that the Thunder play later that night. Click HERE to join us in this wonderful experience.

Faith and Family Night is coming on Sunday, February 16. Come watch us host the Tahoe Knight Monsters and meet two members of the cast from the critically acclaimed TV show, The Chosen. Click HERE to bring out your church, youth group or business.