INDEPENDENCE, MO – The Kansas City Mavericks broke open a 1-1 tie, scoring three unanswered goals to give the Mavericks a 4-1 victory on Tuesday. It was the fifth straight loss for the Wichita Thunder who now hold a two-point edge over the Mavericks for second place in the Mountain Division. Dillon Kelley made 28 saves for Kansas City and Keeghan Howdeshell had a goal and an assist. Jay Dickman had the lone tally for the Thunder.

Kansas City came away with the only goal in the first period, as Nick Pastujov scored his 13th goal of the season 11:45 in the contest. Justin Lammon took a shot that Thunder netminder Justin Kapelmaster saved, but Pastujov battled through a Wichita defenseman, putting the puck in to put the Mavericks on top.

Dickman tied the score 14:29 in the second, netting his 19th goal of the year. Cole McDonald fed the puck to Peter Bates who made a perfect pass across to the right face-off circle to Dickman. He blasted home a one-timer to tie the score at one.

Kansas City retook the lead with 1:35 left in the second when Luke Stevens scored to make it a 2-1 game. Stevens joined a rush inside the Thunder zone, blasting a one-timer by Kapelmaster for his 11th goal of the year.

Kansas City held a one goal advantage into the third, but blew this game open with two goals to seal the victory. Howdeshell scored his 12th goal of the season at the 4:14 mark. Hugo Roy passed the puck across the slot to the back post where Howdeshell stuffed it home. Cole Coskey closed out the scoring with his 15th goal of the year with 4:26 left in the contest.

The Wichita Thunder (26-24-4) welcome the Utah Grizzlies (23-26-3) on Friday. The puck drops at 7:05.

Gamesheet

by Robert Pannier