Wichita, Kan. – R.G. Flath netted a hat trick while Alex Bourret and Thomas Beauregard contributed three points each as the Wichita Thunder turned away the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 4-2 in front of 3,179 fans at Intrust Bank Arena in game one of the Central Hockey League’s Berry Conference Semi-finals Friday night. 
After falling behind 1-0 in the opening period, Wichita scored three goals in the middle frame, two from Flath, to take over the lead. The win gives the Thunder a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with game two scheduled for a 5:05 pm CST start on Sunday. The Killer Bees jumped out to a 1-0 lead 13:45 into the game on a power play goal from Brandon Campos. With Wichita’s Chris Greene in the penalty box serving a two-minute minor for tripping, Campos deflected Mike Wilson’s shot from the point past Adam Russo for the score. Dan Gendur was credited with a secondary assist on the goal. Rio Grande Valley would hold the lead for nearly nine minutes before Wichita caught fire and took control of the game with two goals just two-minutes apart. Bourret scored just two-minutes into the second period, knocking home a one-timer on a pass from Beauregard to tie the score. 2:02 later Beauregard found Flath for his first goal of the night. With the puck in the circle to the left of Rio Grande Valley Keeper Wylie Rogers, Beauregard slipped a pass to Flath who redirected the puck past Rogers’ left leg and into the cage from the slot. Flath’s second marker came at 14:23 of the second when Beauregard stole the puck behind the net and set up Flath who sailed the puck in from just inside the right circle, increasing Wichita’s lead to two goals. Rio Grande Valley cut the lead to one when Wilson jumped on a rebound from a Scott Balan shot and beat Russo high, stick-side from the top of the right circle. Flath completed his second professional hat trick at 2:12 of the third period while the Thunder was shorthanded. Bourret picked off the puck in the defensive zone then skated the length of the ice while on a two-on-one break and dished to Flath who put the puck in the net from the left of Rogers, making the score 4-2. Russo was solid in net for the Thunder, stopping 31 of 31 shots while Wylie Rogers allowed four goals on 37 shots. The Thunder will host a special block party on Sunday prior to game two. Beginning at 3:30 pm in front of entrance A and B off of Waterman Street, fans can win prizes, play games, enjoy discounted food and drinks and a beer garden. The first 1,000 fans through the doors will be given a team rally towel. Contact the writer at john.hall@prohockeynews.com
