Thunder take Game 1, 3-1 over Texas

April 13, 2012|KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports

WICHITA, Kan. — Behind a two-goal performance from Chris Chappell and outstanding play from Adam Russo, Wichita took Game one of the Berry Conference Finals with a 3-1 win over the Texas Brahmas Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena. RG Flath added his third goal in two games as the Thunder closed out the contest scoring three unanswered.

Texas continued the Thunder's recent trend by scoring the first goal of the game at 6:06 of the first period. Chad Woollard was able to come into the zone and found Sy Nutkevitch who made it 1-0 for the Brahmas. Wichita has yet to score the first goal of a game in the post-season.

In the second, Wichita climbed back and took its first lead of the game with two second-period goals. Flath (7) skated through center and let a wrist shot fly that beat Brahmas starter Brad Fogal to tie the game at one. Chappell (1) gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead off a face-off for his first playoff goal of his career.

The Thunder had a number of chances to increase its lead, but was unable to get one past Fogal until late in the game. Chappell (2) iced it with an empty-net goal with just seven seconds remaining to give the Thunder a 3-1 victory.

Wichita continues to dominate in the final two periods, outscoring its opponents in the playoffs 12-5 in the second and 7-1 in the third period. Russo earned his fifth win in the playoffs, making 31 saves on 32 shots.

Wichita improves to 12-8 all-time in the first game of a playoff series and jumped over .500, now 50-49 all-time. The Thunder has allowed the first goal in each of its six games in the post-season, but improved to 3-1 when trailing after one with the victory.

Wichita went 0-for-4 with the man advantage while the Brahmas were 0-for-3.

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