Mavericks Fall to Thunder, 3-2

The Wichita Thunder won their sixth straight game at Independence Events Center by beating the Missouri Mavericks, 3-2, Tuesday night in front of 5,172 fans. The Mavericks moved to 4-7-2 overall and 1-4-0 at home. Thunder forwards Ian Lowe and Chad Painchaud each had a goal and an assist in the win for the Thunder and Wichita goaltender Torrie Jung stopped 24 of 26 shots for his fourth win of the season. Kellan Tochkin and Jeff Pierce scored the two goals for the Mavericks who will stay home for a game Friday night, Nov. 23 against the Fort Worth Brahmas. Friday is a Family Four-Pack night in which fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs and four Pepsis starting at only $80.

Wichita scored the lone goal of the opening period when Greger Hanson notched his seventh goal of the season. The power play goal was assisted by Kevin Young and Nathan Lutz. The teams were even in shots through the first 20 minutes with 11 apiece, but the Thunder held the one-goal lead.

The Mavericks earned a five-on-three power play early into the second period, but they were unable to get a puck past goaltender Torrie Jung. Missouri successfully killed off two Wichita power plays midway through the period, and the Mavericks finally tied the game at the 16:28 mark. Mavericks’ leading goal scorer Jeff Pierce batted home a rebound to tie the game 1-1. He was assisted by Brandon Smith and Trevor Kell, but the tie game didn’t last long as the Thunder regained the lead just 26 seconds later. Painchaud scored on an assist by Lowe to give the Thunder a 2-1 lead before the teams headed into the third period.

Missouri didn’t waste any time in the third period as they tied the game just 21 seconds into the final frame. Rookie Kellan Tochkin scored on an assist from fellow rookie Kenton Miller as the Mavericks tied the game at two. Just before the midway point of the final period, Lowe scored on a backhand and beat Mavericks’ goaltender Mike Clemente. It proved to be the game winning goal as the Mavericks were unable to score the tying goal with the extra attacker.

The Mavericks host the Fort Worth Brahmas on Friday, Nov. 23 at Independence Events Center.  It’s a Family Four-Pack night in which fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs and four Pepsis starting at only $80. Tickets on are sale via Ticketmaster and parking is always free. For more information on the Missouri Mavericks visit www.MissouriMavericks.com.