WICHITA, Kan. – Behind a tremendous performance from Thunder netminder Grant Rollheiser and timely scoring from Peter Sakaris, Wichita (4-3-0-0) edged Colorado (1-6-1-0) on Saturday afternoon by the final score of 2-1 at INTRUST Bank Arena. Rollheiser earned his second win of the season, stopping 34 shots on net and 18 of those that came in the first period. Wichita sweeps the weekend set and jumps back over .500.
Colorado grabbed the early lead as Trent Daavettila ripped a one-timer from the top of the left circle at 5:50of the first. Sakaris tied the contest at 11:22, getting a terrific pass from Andy Huff and slid a backhand through Jacob DeSerres. Despite being outshot 18-4 after the first frame, the two teams went into the locker room locked up at one.
In the second, Sakaris gave Wichita a 2-1 advantage at3:11. Mason Baptista got to a loose puck in the neutral zone, raced up ice and let a shot go off of DeSerres. Sakaris was johnny on the spot with the rebound tally and scored his second of the season.
Colorado continued to fire pucks from anywhere on the ice, finishing with 35 shots in the contest. The Eagles had 10 of those in the third, but Wichita did a great job of clogging up the middle and held on to take the 2-1 win.
Sakaris is the second Thunder player this season to have a multi-goal outing. Baptista and Huff each added assists in the contest. The Colorado power play, which came into the weekend near the top of the league, was held in check for the second-straight night. Rollheiser claimed the win, stopping 34 of 35 shots. DeSerres suffers the loss, stopping 12 of 14 shots he faced.
Wichita was 0-for-1 on the power play. Colorado went 0-for-3 on the man advantage.
The Thunder hit the road next weekend to start a three-in-three, beginning on Friday night at Quad City. Wichita returns home next Sunday for Brandon Steven Motors Night. Visit any of his dealerships to get a free upper level ticket voucher, which can be redeemed for a free upper level ticket on Sunday, November 8th.
With Wichita Thunder team release
You must be logged in to post a comment.