Power Play, Stellar Performance by Buitenhuis Propels Thunder Past Komets, Even Series
After a devastating 3-2 loss in game one of the series, the Wichita Thunder were able to knock off the Fort Wayne Komets 5-2 on June 10th, taking game two to even the series.
In the first period, Wichita struck early as Anthony Beauregard opened the scoring finding a loose puck in the slot making it 1-0 with 10:41 left to go. Gordie Green and Jacob Graves picked up the assists on the play. Shortly after, Graves would head off for a slash where Fort Wayne would capitalize on the man advantage tying the game at one. Anthony Nellis using great patience found Justin Vaive at the back door for an easy tap-in. Stephen Harper had the secondary assist.
Those would be the only goals in the opening frame. Wichita went 0-2 on the man advantage and finished with 11 shots. Fort Wayne went 1-2 with 9 shots in total.
Heading into the middle frame, there was a little bit more excitement. Beauregard found Dean Stewart, where Dean found Noel Hoefenmayer at the point and he blasted home a one-timer on the power-play with 11:31 to go, making it 2-1. Penalties continued to be a struggle for the Komets, as Jeremy McKenna weaved his way through defenders, putting the puck right over the shoulder of Ferguson scoring a highlight-reel powerplay goal, making it 3-1. AJ Jenks found a shorthanded break and capitalized, cutting Wichita’s lead to just one. Throughout 40, Wichita still lead the shot count 25-21, also going 2-4 on the powerplay. The Komets with no powerplay success.
Through the final 20, Wichita was able to close out the game. Fort Wayne found themselves in trouble once more with penalties, as Stewart and McKenna found Matteo Gennaro right by the net and he made it 4-2. There wasn’t much more action, but Spencer Dorowicz added the exclamation point by adding an empty net goal, leaving the final score 5-2.
Overall, Wichita outshot the Komets 36-31. Fort Wayne went 1-7 on the man advantage, and Wichita went 3-9.
The series now shifts to Fort Wayne, as Game 3 is on Friday, June 11th, where the puck will drop at 7:00pm. Game 4 will take place on Saturday, June 12th, puck drop for that game is at 6:30. Monday, June 14th is the set date for Game 5 if it is needed.
By Gabe Daniel