WICHITA, KS – Playing in its first home game since last February, Wichita fell on New Year’s Day to Allen by the final of 5-1 at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Matteo Gennaro stayed red-hot, scoring the lone Thunder goal in the losing effort.
Allen took an early lead as Kameron Kielly beat Gillam at 7:38 to make it 1-0. Wichita answered five minutes later when Gennaro put a home a one-timer from the slot for his 4th of the season.
In the second, Allen scored twice late in the frame to grab a 3-1 lead. Jesse Mychan poked home a loose puck near the top of the crease at 12:02. Four minutes later, Joseph Garreffa intercepted a Gillam clearing attempt, came in and found the net for his 4th of the year to make it 3-1.
Allen tacked on two more in the third to pull away. At 6:59, Kayle Doetzl fired a shot from the right boards and Mychan was able to redirect it to beat Gillam and make it 4-1. Jake McGrew closed out the scoring at 15:01 as he found a rebound off a broken play and fired home his 5th of the year to make it 5-1.
Wichita gave up the first goal, making it the first time so far this season the Thunder didn’t score before their opponent. Gennaro (4 goals, 3 assists) has points in four-straight games to start the season for the Thunder. Gordie Green added an assist, giving him points in three-straight.
The Thunder remains at home Saturday night to host Allen. The contest will finish off a three-game set between the two teams. Tickets are still available with the puck dropping at 7:05 p.m. Central Time.
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