Thunder Playoff Hopes on Life Support after Loss in Tulsa

TULSA, OK – The Wichita Thunder are seeing any chance of making the playoffs slowly fade, falling in Tulsa on Friday evening, 3-1. It was the fifth straight loss for the club, leaving Wichita needing victories in seven of their final eight games to even consider making the post-season.
Kyle Crnkovic got things started for Tulsa, scoring 15:09 into the contest. Crnkovic was moving behind the Thunder goal, looking to make a pass to his teammate in front. Unfortunately, for Wichita, the puck hit off the back of Thunder netminder Trevor Gorsuch’s leg and into the net. It was his 15th goal of the season.
It only took 45 seconds before the Thunder tied the score. Dillon Boucher made a perfect pass to Jason Pineo in front of the net. That pass and shot were so quick that Oilers netminder Julian Junca never even had time to turn his head toward the front of the net, allowing Pineo to easily slide the puck in for his 13th goal of the year.
The score was tied through one intermission, but Dante Sheriff put Tulsa on top for good 3:03 into the second. Karl Boudrias moved the puck along the boards to Sheriff. He fired a shot from the right half-boards that found its way through traffic and past Gorsuch for his 17th tally of the year.
The one goal advantage held through the second in the nation, with Tulsa extending the lead to two 1:33 of the final period. Blake McLaughlin passed the puck to Eddie Matsushima in the slot, who lifted a shot by Gorsuch for his 25th tally of the year.
It was all Julian Junca from there, who stopped 26 shots in the victory Gorsuch stopped 26 shots for the Thunder.
The loss was the fifth in a row for Wichita, who find their playoff hopes on life support. These teams will square off again on Saturday in Wichita. Game time is set for 7:05.
by Robert Pannier