Brayden Watts tallied the game-winner just 1:33 into the extra session. Connor Walters finished with two assists while Evan Buitenhuis made 27 saves in the winning effort.
Cole Coskey gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead just 1:49 into the opening period. He made move around a Thunder defenseman and followed up his own rebound for his sixth of the year.
Jeremy McKenna made 2-0 at 10:30. He beat a Thunder defender near the left circle and fired a shot past Buitenhuis for his 11th of the year.
In the second, Stefan Fournier redirected a shot from Zack Hoffman at 17:27 and cut the lead the 2-1. The goal was reviewed for possible interference, but it was allowed to stand.
Dylan MacPherson tied the game at 7:24 of the third. Jay Dickman made a terrific play as he came off the left wall, sucked two players to him and found MacPherson at the top of the crease.
Wichita was awarded a five-minute power play just a few minutes later when Ryan Harrison was called for boarding on Dominic Dockery. The Thunder couldn’t get much going and took a penalty at 6:11 when Quinn Preston was called for interference. Neither team could find the net and the game headed into overtime.
Watts tallied his 10th of the season at 1:33 of overtime when he took a pass from Preston at the top of the left circle, toe-dragged around Hugo Roy and fired a shot past Shane Starrett.
Wichita improved to 5-2 in games decided in overtime. Kansas City dropped to 1-2 in games past regulation. The Thunder also claimed their fourth win when trailing by a 2-0 margin.
Watts extended his point-streak to nine games and has scored the last two overtime winning-goals for the Thunder. Fournier recorded his seventh of the year and needs four more to reach 100 ECHL goals for his career.
Wichita returns home tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. to host Kansas City.
Saturday is Teddy Bear Toss Night, presented by Hajoca. Help us win in our competition against the Kansas City Mavericks. The losing team will have to keep a stuffed animal in their office with the opposing team’s jersey for the rest of the season. All the donated stuffed animals will be distributed by the team to those in need for the holiday.
With Wichita Thunder release
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