They say that there is nothing like making a good first impression, and that is what Bobby McMann, Gordie Green, and Noel Hoefenmayer did on Saturday night. Playing in their first professional game, the trio scored all three goals in a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Mavericks. McMann led the way with a goal and two assists, and Mitch Gilliam stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced in helping move the Thunder to 2-0-0.

The Thunder jumped out in front just before the four-minute mark. The Mavericks moved into the Thunder end and were looking to set up their offense, but McMann knocked the blueline crossing pass down, then scooped up the loose puck and headed the other way on a breakaway. Kansas City goaltender Andrew Shortridge was able to deny the scoring opportunity, but Matteo Gennaro kept the clearing attempt in the Kansas City zone. He passed to McMann whose shot was knocked down in front, but Green scooped it up, knocking it to the far post for his first goal of the season.

Just after the nine-minute mark, the Thunder extended their lead to two. While on the power-play, Stefan Fournier fired a shot that Shortridge kicked aside. Gennaro whiffed as he tried to knock the rebound in, but the puck rolled back to Green in the high slot. He fired a wrist shot that found the upper corner for his first goal professional goal.

Wichita held the 2-0 lead through the first two periods, but the Mavericks finally got on the board at 10:07 of the third. With the Thunder on the power-play, Zach Osburn stole the puck in the neutral zone and headed into the Wichita end. He passed the puck to Brendan Robbins who beat Gilliam between the legs for his first goal of they year and suddenly Kansas City was back in the contest.

The Mavericks came alive looking for the equalizer, but Gilliam made a pair of nice saves right around the 14-minute mark. With a little over a minute left in the game, Kansas City pulled their goalie. The Thunder defense was dominate however, giving Kansas City no shots on goal. At 19:30, McMann capped off his three-point night with an empty net goal to seal the victory.

The Thunder now move onto Allen (3-1-0) to take on the Americans on New Year’s Eve before returning to Wichita for their first home games of the year.

Gamesheet

By Robert Pannier