Mavericks Earn Point in OT Loss to Wichita, 5-4

The Missouri Mavericks (14-11-4) erased a two-goal deficit in the third period for the second straight game, but lost to the Wichita Thunder, 5-4, in overtime Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena.  Missouri remains winless in five games (0-3-2) this season against the first-place Thunder, and the Mavericks have lost last seven games overall against Wichita.  Forward Sebastien Thinel (two goals, two assists) and defenseman Dave Pszenyczny (one goal, three assists) each had four-point games for the Mavericks.  Gregor Hanson scored 11 seconds into the overtime period to secure the win for the Thunder who won their ninth straight home game extending a CHL-high this season.  Missouri heads to Tulsa to take on the Oilers on Saturday night at BOK Center

“Huge character point on the road in a very tough building to come from behind in,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman.  “It was a real learning experience for our young players.  (Jared) Lavender was a top performer for us on the blue line and Thinel had a huge game.  We must win tomorrow in Tulsa.”

Wichita took a 2-1 lead through the first 20 minutes of play.  Dustin Donaghy buried the first goal of the game at the 9:41 mark of the period.  Wichita took a 2-0 lead when former Maverick Todd Griffith stuffed home a rebound off the back wall at the 13:35 mark.  The Mavericks bounced back and scored their first power play goal in their last six games at the 16:48 mark.  Pszenyczny took a back door feed from Thinel and redirected the puck past Wichita goaltender Kevin Regan.

The Thunder scored the lone goal of the second period on a power play marker by Kevin Young.  He took a pass from Chad Painchaud and blasted a one-timer behind Mavericks’ goaltender Mike Clemente to give the Thunder a 3-1 lead.

The Mavericks began their comeback just 96 seconds into the third period when Thinel scored the first of his two goals.  He was left alone in front of the Wichita goal and beat Regan to make it a 3-2 game.  Just under two minutes later, Thinel tied the game at three when his shot came from a sharp angle and bounced off the goaltender and into the back of the net.

The Mavericks took their first lead of the game at 4-3 on their second power play goal when Thinel fed Kenton Miller who stuffed the puck under the padding of Regan.  The Thunder answered and tied the game with less than two minutes remaining when Ian Lowe tipped a shot from the point past Clemente for a power play goal at the 18:12 mark of the period.  The teams remained tied, 4-4, and headed into the overtime.

Gregor Hanson made quick work in the overtime period as he scored just 11 seconds in.  He was assisted by Kevin Young and RG Flath and the Thunder skated away with the 5-4 overtime victory.

Missouri has one more game left in their four-game road trip in Tulsa on Saturday night.   The Mavericks will return to Independence Events Center on New Year’s Eve to face off against the Oilers at 7:05 p.m.  Tickets on are sale via Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or by heading to the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office. For more information on the Missouri Mavericks visit www.MissouriMavericks.com.