WICHITA, Kan. (Dec. 13) – Kyle Crnkovic scored one minute into overtime to lift Wichita past Idaho on Teddy Bear Toss Night, 3-2, at INTRUST Bank Arena. 

Donavan Houle, Jay Dickman and Crnkovic each had two points to lead the way for the Thunder. Roddy Ross claimed his sixth win of the season, stopping 22 shots. 

The two teams combined for 26 shots in the opening 20 minutes. Houle was whistled for a late boarding penalty, which carried over into the second and gave the Steelheads a four-on-three power play. The Thunder killed off the opportunity to start the second.

Midway through the contest, Houle broke the ice with a power play goal. Crnkovic fired a pass from the edge of the left circle that was intended for Peter Bates. The puck redirected off of Sam Jardine's skate into the slot and Houle fired home his seventh of the campaign to bring the waterfall of teddy bears to the ice. 

Angus MacDonnell tied the game at 18:19. Robbie Holmes drove into the zone and angled to the left wall. He fed a pass into the high slot and MacDonnell beat Ross for his fifth of the year to make it 1-1.

Early in the third, Brendan Hoffman connected for his 12th of the year to make it 2-1. MacDonnell appeared to enter the zone offside but was allowed to carry the puck into the Thunder end. He found a wide-open Hoffman, who beat Ross through the five-hole.

Just 1:20 later, John Gormley tied the game at two. Ryan Finnegan kept the play alive on the right wall. He found Gormley at the edge of the right circle. Gormley unloaded a wrist shot that beat Jake Barczewski after the puck was deflected off a defenseman's stick near the crease.

With 23 seconds left in regulation, Kaleb Pearson was called for slashing and gave the Thunder a two-minute power play, which carried over into the extra period. 

Crnkovic ended the contest at 1:05 of overtime, hammering a one-timer from the right faceoff circle past Barczewski to make it 3-2. 

Wichita extended its point streak to a season-high five games. The Thunder earned their first victory past regulation at home this season and first overtime win of the year. 

Crnkovic has two points in five-straight and six of his last seven outings. He also extended his goal streak to four. Noah Beck has six points in his last three games. Houle extended his point streak to four and has assists in his last three. Gormley recorded his first goal as a pro. Ross has won his its last four starts. 

The Thunder went 2-for-7 on the power pay. The Steelheads were 0-for-4 on the man advantage. 

Wichita closes its four game homestand tomorrow afternoon against Idaho. Opening faceoff is set for 2:05 p.m.

Sunday is our first TDog Storybook of the year, presented by Children's Mercy and Happily Ever After Parties. Come join us before the game kicks off as characters will be in attendance to take photos with the kids on the concourse.

Season tickets are still 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.