Thunder Looks to Even Series Tonight vs. Tahoe

WICHITA, Kan. (April 20) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, looks to even its first round series tonight at 6:05 p.m. against Tahoe in the Mountain Division Semifinals at INTRUST Bank Arena. 

Tonight is the second-ever meeting between the Thunder and the Knight Monsters in the postseason. Last night, the Knight Monsters scored five times in the second period, which included four power play goals to take Game 1, 6-1. 

Wichita is playing its third-ever game on Easter Sunday. The Thunder are 1-1 in games played on Easter. Wichita lost on Sunday, April 16, 1995, to San Antonio, 6-2 and won on Sunday, April 5, 1998, at Tulsa, 5-4. 

Last night’s game was decided on special teams. The Thunder were called for seven minor penalties, and the Knight Monsters took advantage. Tahoe went 4-for-7 on the power play while Wichita was 0-for-2. During the regular season, the Knight Monsters went 5-for-14 on the power play (35.7%) and 4-for-8 at INTRUST Bank Arena (50%). The Thunder were 4-for-13 in the regular season against Tahoe, good for a 30.8% clip. 

During the regular season, Wichita outshot its opponent just 19 times. Last night, the Thunder outshot the Knight Monsters 33-24, including 14 chances in the third period. Last weekend, Wichita didn't break 30 shots against Tahoe. The Thunder held the Knight Monsters to 29 shots last Friday. 

THUNDERBOLTS...Michal Stinil finished the regular season tied for second with 52 assists...Jay Dickman finished the regular season tied for second with 12 power play goals...Dillon Boucher was second in the league with 10 major penalties...Wichita was second to last in penalty minutes per game (9.51)...Wichita was 29-7-2 when scoring first...Wichita was 19-4-2 when leading after one...Wichita was 27-3-2 when leading after two...Wichita was 16-7-0 in games decided by three or more goals...Wichita was 15-10-1-1 when tied after one...

TAHOE NOTES – Sloan Stanick finished the regular season in second with 79 points and third in shots (252)...Simon Pinard was third with 33 goals...Jesper Vikman was tied for second in the league with 24 wins, fourth in saves (1,153) and third in minutes played (2,503)...Tahoe was last in the league in average PIM (8.94)...Tahoe was 26-9-2-0 when scoring first...Tahoe was tied for seventh with nine shorthanded goals and has given up 10...Tahoe outscored its opponent 87-71 in the third period...

Playoff tickets are on sale for Game 2 tonight against Tahoe. Eat that Easter meal and come join us as we look to even the series against the Knight Monsters. Click HERE to purchase!

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2025-26 season. Lock in your seats and catch all the high paced, hard-hitting action at INTRUST Bank Arena. Click HERE now to learn how you can get your seats reserved and start paying now.