WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder defeated the Arizona Sundogs 3-2 at the Kansas Coliseum on Friday night.
Defenseman Jim Jorgensen scored the game-winning goal at 16:23 in the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie. Joel Hanson netted two goals, while Glenn Detulleo chipped in three assists.
Hanson gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead just 18 seconds into the second period, colliding with a Sundogs' player before knocking the puck into the net. The goal was initially waved off, but referee Paul Mariconda overturned the decision. Arizona scored at 7:48 and 10:25 in the second to take a 2-1 lead, but Hanson retied the game at 17:29 on a backdoor pass from Detulleo.
The Thunder, who played a physical game all night long, battled through the third before Jason Deleurme made an open ice pass to Jorgensen from the top of the right faceoff circle. Jorgensen ripped a shot past Sundogs' goaltender J.F. Perras that came in just under the crossbar to put the Thunder in front 3-2.
Scott Campbell earned the win, saving 32 of 34 and helped the Thunder snap a seven-game winless streak. Mike Batovanja earned a fighting major in the second period. Hanson now has four goals in his last three games, while Detulleo is riding his second four-game point streak of the year. Deleurme has four points in two games since joining the Thunder. Wichita finished 1 for 8 on the power play while going 6 for 7 on the penalty kill. The win was the first in the coaching career of Jason Duda.
The Thunder hosts the Tulsa Oilers tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
-Thunder-
