INDEPENDENCE, MO- The Wichita Thunder lost 4-2 to the Missouri Mavericks at the Independence Events Center on Saturday night.
The Thunder scored first for a second straight night, taking a 1-0 lead at 10:36 in the first. Troy Ofukany knocked in a rebound on the power play for his third goal of the season, getting help from Brett Pilkington and Jim Jorgensen.
Missouri scored three unanswered power play goals in the second, the latter two of which were potted by Jeff MacDermid. Mike Kneeland brought Wichita within one at 10:27 in the third, staying with a shot through the slot, but the Mavericks took a 4-2 lead on Brett Hammond's deflection that snuck past Scott Campbell at 14:49.
Wichita pounded out a season-high 40 shots in the win. Campbell stopped 33 of 37 in the loss. Mike Gorman saved 38 of 40 in the win for Missouri. The Mavericks were given 14 total power play opportunities to the Thunder's eight during the weekend series, all under the same officiating crew led by referee Jon McIssac.
The Thunder next plays on Tuesday, November 17th at Tulsa. Opening faceoff at the BOK Center is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Thunder returns to the Kansas Coliseum on Friday, November 20th when they host the Arizona Sundogs. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
-Thunder-
