PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Thunder opens season with 4-3 loss to Tulsa

WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita rallied twice in the third period, but were unable to overcome its longtime rival on Saturday night as Tulsa claimed a 4-3 win at INTRUST Bank Arena. Jack Rodewald, Landon Oslanski and Alex Krushelnyski each scored for the Thunder in the losing effort.

Wichita got off to a quick start when Krushelnyski received a lead pass from Mitch Holmberg and scored on a breakaway past Oilers netminder Jamie Phillips to make it 1-0. The Oilers scored the next three, tying the game on a tally from Darcy Murphy halfway through the first.

Early in the second, Murphy added another at 1:33with a backhand shot while falling away from the cage to make it 2-1. At 17:36, Shawn Bates increased the lead to 3-1 with a backhand down the right seam over Greenham’s shoulder.

Oslanski cut the lead to one at 11:03 with a shot from the left wing circle while dragging it past the outreached defender and finding the net to make it 3-2, Oilers. Tulsa answered quickly, just 44 seconds later, with a rebound goal that appeared to clank off the post, but the goal was awarded to Adam Pleskach to make it 4-2.

Wichita pulled its goalie with 1:36 left and got within one when Jack Rodewald potted a rebound in the crease for his first of the season. The Thunder had chances in the last 20 seconds, but couldn’t find the equalizer and lost by the final of 4-3.

Melindy, Holmberg and Marcotte earned assists in the losing effort. Wichita outshot the Oilers in the third by a count of 17-6. Greenham takes the loss, stopping 32 of 36 shots on net. In his first pro start, Phillips claims the win, stopping 31 of 34 shots he faced.

Wichita went 0-for-2 on the power play. Tulsa was 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

The Thunder remains home next Friday night when the Missouri Mavericks come to town for the first time this season, starting at 7:05 p.m.