The game began with tons of physicality and heavy hits into the boards, and it was the Thunder who struck first on a 2-on-1 goal by Will Zapernick. Just two minutes later, they were awarded a penalty shot as Nate Kallen hooked down Mitchell Russell from behind on a shorthanded breakaway.
Papirny fought off the chance to keep the score 1-0, but the Thunder would eventually double their lead on a power play goal by Peter Bates.
Tahoe cut the deficit in half late in the first with a crash goal by Joe Fleming, who punched on the loose puck in the blue paint and poked it past rookie netminder Roddy Ross. The play was not called a goal on the ice, and required a lengthy review to overturn.
Wichita added to their lead in the second period just under a minute in on a Kobe Walker breakout goal where he blitzed into the offensive zone and roofed the puck past Papirny. It was Walker’s second goal of the series, and a tough pill to swallow after Tahoe dominated the end of the first period.
Throughout the rest of the game, Tahoe had multiple chances that were turned away by Ross, and the final horn sounded on an incredible successful 2024-25 season, with the promise for much more.
The Knight Monsters will not have to wait too long to get their revenge over the Thunder, as they will head to Wichita to begin round one of the Kelly Cup playoffs. Game one of the series is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, at 4:05 PM PT, with Khalin Kapoor on the call. The entire playoff schedule is below:
Saturday, April 19 at Wichita- 4:05 PM PT
Sunday, April 20 at Wichita- TBD
Wednesday, April 23 at Tahoe- 7:00 PM PT
Friday, April 25 at Tahoe- 7:30 PM PT
Saturday, April 26 at Tahoe- 7:30 PM PT (If Necessary)
Tuesday, April 29 at Wichita- 5:05 PM PT (If Necessary)
Wednesday, April 30 at Wichita- 5:05 PM PT (If Necessary)
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