WICHITA, KS. – The Idaho Steelheads (31-12-4-0) fell to the Wichita Thunder (20-18-3-4) 4-1 Saturday night at INTRUST Bank Arena. The loss ends Idaho’s 10-game point streak that began Jan. 23 against the Allen Americans. The Steelheads and Thunder finish their three-in-three series tomorrow from Wichita with puck drop set for 1:05 p.m. MST.
Saturday’s matchup got off to a much slower start than Friday, as the two teams combined for just 15 shots on goal over the opening 20 minutes, compared to 31 combined shots to start the game the night before.
With limited shooting to open the contest neither team found the back of the net in the opening frame.
The first goal wouldn’t come until the 14:41 mark of the second period, when Michal Stinil broke the ice with his 11thgoal of the season to put Wichita ahead 1-0 and break the shutout bid for Jake Barczewski. Shortly after the lead would be doubled, as Jay Dickman tipped a Kirby Proctor point shot into the net to put the Thunder ahead 2-0 at the end of 40 minutes.
The Wichita lead extended further early in the final period, as Stinil netted his second tally of the contest just under two minutes in to put Wichita ahead 3-0.
After searching for a goal for the first 58 minutes of regulation, the Steelheads finally found the back of the net with a power play goal from Francesco Arcuri at 18:15 of the third period, breaking Matt Davis’ shutout bid and making it a 3-1 game.
Stinil would get the last laugh, however, finishing the game with an empty net goal to complete his second ECHL hat trick and give the Thunder a 4-1 win.
Idaho’s Jake Barczewski stopped 36 of 39 shots in the loss, while Wichita’s Matt Davis turned aside 28 of 29 shots in the win.
ICCU THREE STARS
1) Michal Stinil (WIC, 3-0-3, +4, 6 shots)
2) Matt Davis (WIC, 28 saves, win)
3) Jay Dickman (WIC, 1-1-2, +3, 5 shots)
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