Thunder Squander Four-Goal Lead; Fall in Overtime, 5-4
The Wichita Thunder traveled to Independence, Missouri looking to snap an eight-game losing streak. They did come away with a point, but that was minimal consolation as the Thunder squandered a four-goal lead, giving up four unanswered goals in regulation before falling in overtime to lose 5-4. The contest extended the team’s winless streak to nine.
The Thunder got off to a great start when Vincent Arseneau gave Wichita a lead 6:20 into the contest. Newly acquired David Friedmann made a pass to Arseneau who fired the wrister into the net for his seventh goal of the season.
A little less than eight minutes later Wichita was back on the board. This time it was rookie defenseman Jamie Doornbosch who blasted a shot by Eamon McAdam to extend the lead to two. It was Doornbosch’s fourth goal of the season.
The first period was dominated by the Thunder, as they were not only leading 2-0 but outshot Missouri 14-12. In the second period, the Mavericks would take command of the game, outshooting Wichita 14-5. However, they would leave the period tied in terms of goals scored.

Macoy Erkamps got the Thunder on the board at the 2:47 mark, netting his first goal of the season on the power-play to make it 3-0. Brandon Carlson followed with a goal just 14-seconds later, his first goal of the season, and it looked like Wichita would blow Missouri out.
However, Carter Verhaeghe scored at 5:11 to get the Mavericks on the board. The puck was deep in the Wichita end and Jesse Graham gained control, passing out to Verhaeghe, whose shot from the point found its way through a screen and into the Wichita net to make it 4-1.
It stayed a three-goal lead until the Missouri Mavericks added a goal with just 12-seconds left in the period. Zach Tolkinen’s shot from the point beat Drew Owsley and the two teams headed to the locker rooms with the Thunder up by two.
Into the third the game went, when the Thunder defense seemed to collapse around Owsley. With Missouri on the power-play, Owsley made an unbelievable save on Dane Fox when it looked like the Mavericks forward had nothing but an empty net to shoot into. Owsley’s save stopped play and forced a faceoff. That faceoff was won by Andrew Courtney, who drew the puck to Kyle Schempp. He passed to Kevin Tansey who beat Owsley to make it 4-3.
At the 16:50 mark in the period Missouri tied the score. Reed Seckel’s shot was saved by the Thunder goalie, but Darren Nowick put the puck back in for his 10th goal of the year.
Into overtime it went, and the Missouri Mavericks dominated the extra frame. The overtime period saw both teams earn 2-on-1 breaks, but the goalkeepers were stellar in keeping the score tied.
Finally, at the 2:27 mark the Mavericks would earn the winning goal. Landon Oslanski was knocked down in what was a clear penalty, but the referee swallowed his whistle, allowing the game to continue on. That lead to a 2-on-1 break for the Mavericks and Dan Correale would beat Owsley with the game winner.
Macoy Erkamps had his best game as a professional, earning a goal and an assist for the Thunder. Dan Correale and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist for the Missouri Mavericks.
These two teams will go at it again Saturday night. Faceoff is at 7:05.
By Robert Pannier