Carroll Scores Twice to Propel Thunder, 4-2
WICHITA, KS – Joe Carroll scored twice and goaltender Aaron Dell made 31 saves as the Wichita Thunder finished off the three-game sweep of the Utah Grizzlies on Friday, 4-2. Two third period goals by the Thunder proved to be the difference in the game. Jay Dickman and Braden Hache each added two assists, extending the Thunder winning streak to three straight games.
Wichita outshot Utah in the first period, 15-11, but it was the Grizzlies that came out on top after one. Kabore Dunn put Utah on top 16:30 into the contest. Kayden Nielson created a turnover in the right corner in the Thunder zone. He then fed the puck out to Dunn, who blasted home a one-timer for his first goal of the year.
Wichita tied the score at 5:04 of the second when Carroll scored his first goal of the night. With Wichita on the power-play Dickman fired a shot that goaltender Adam Scheel saved, but Carroll crashed the net, putting in the rebound to knot the game at one.
The Thunder took the lead four minutes later when Kobe Walker notched his seventh goal of the season. Peter Bates had control of the puck behind the Utah goal, created some space for himself before passing out to Walker who tipped the puck in to make it 2-1.
The Grizzlies responded four minutes later when Briley Wood tied the game with his second goal of the season. Derek Dasche, who had four points in the three-game series, started the play when he fired a shot from the blue line. Dell made the save, but Wood was able to knock in the rebound to make it 2-2.
That would be the score heading to the second intermission, but Wichita dominated the third, outshooting the Grizzlies 17-11. They were able to capitalize and take the lead for good when Nolan Burke scored on the power-play with 4:25 left in the contest. With just seconds left on the man advantage, Hache blasted a shot that Burke tipped past Scheel for his second goal of the year.
The Grizzlies desperately tried to tie the score, but Carroll sealed the victory when he scored an empty net goal with 1:29 left in the contest.
With his two assists, Dickman now has five points over his last three games. Hache has five assists in his last three contests.
The Thunder are off until Wednesday when they will welcome the Worcester Railers to Wichita for the first time in franchise history. The puck drops at 7:05.
by Robert Pannier
