Ralph Cuddemi #8
LOVELAND, Colo – After a slow start for both teams led to no scoring in period 1 the Wichita Thunder jumped to a two-goal lead in a span of 16 seconds early in the second period. However, that would be all the scoring for the visitors on this night.
Thunder forward Jeremy Beaudry slammed the puck past Eagles goalie Joe Cannata on a Power Play opportunity for the first goal of the game. Wichita soon added to their lead when Ralph Cuddemi’s rebound goal from in close pushed the score to 2 to 0.
Gabriel Vepaelst #37
Colorado rose to the challenge a few minutes later when defenseman Gabriel Vepaelst cut the Thunder lead in half with a well-placed shot to beat Thunder Goalkeeper, Shane Starrett for a 2 to 1 score.
Ryan Harrison #22 and Ryan Olsen #14 (Lying down)
Speedy forward Ryan Harrison and high scoring Ryan Olsen combined for the game-tying goal as Harrison put home Olsen’s rebound for the 2 to 2 score at the end of 2 periods.
Fittingly the game-winner scored in the third period would be a beauty from the Captain Matt Garbowsky. The ECHL’s leading goal scorer, Colorado’s Michael Joly, sent Garbowsky on a breakaway and the Eagles Captain did his part chipping the puck past Starrett to put the Eagles in control with a 3 to 2 lead.
J.C. Beaudin #8
J.C. Beaudin, the OT hero from Game 1 accounted for the final 4 to 2 scoring into the empty-net with less than a minute left in the game.
Colorado outshot Wichita 32 to 19 and killed 5 of 6 penalties but did not score a power play goal in 6 opportunities.
A possible elimination Game 4 will be held on Friday, April 20th, 2018 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland Colorado. Game time is 7:05 MDT
Article and photos courtesy of Terry.Sanford@prohockeynews.com
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