Thunder Defeats Grizzlies 5-4

Thunder Defeat Grizzlies 5-4

Wichita, Kansas – Matthew Boucher scored 1 goal and 2 assists and AJ White had 1 goal and 1 assists for the Utah Grizzlies but 2 unanswered Wichita Thunder goals in the third period gave them a 5-4 win over the Grizzlies on Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena.

Wichita scored the first 3 goals of the game. Stefan Fournier made it 1-0 on a rebound 5:31 into the game. Thunder led 1-0 after 1. Mateo Gennaro and Jacob Graves each scored early second period goals to make it 3-0. Utah responded with 4 goals in the last 9:17 of the period. AJ White scored on a long range pass from Ryan Lowney 10:43 in. Matt Hoover made it 3-2 as he scored on a backhand shot 14:44 into the second. Pat Cannone tied the game with 2:42 left in the frame. Matthew Boucher gave the Grizz a 4-3 lead with 1:26 left. Utah led 4-3 after 2 periods. Utah took 23 shots in the second period, tied for the most in any 1 period this season.

Spencer Dorowicz tied the game with a shorthanded goal 3:33 into the third. Wichita’s Peter Crinella scored the game winner 5:15 in on a pass from Garrett Schmitz. Utah outshot Wichita 43 to 36. Wichita’s Evan Buitenhuis saved 39 of 43, while Utah’s Kevin Carr saved 31 of 36.

The series continues on Saturday night at 6:05 pm for the second game of the 3 game series. Grizzlies return home for a 3 game set on April 14, 16-17 vs Kansas City. Tickets for every Grizzlies home game are available at utahgrizzlies.com.

3 stars

1. Spencer Dorowicz (Wichita) – 1 goal.
2. Matthew Boucher (Utah) – 1 goal, 2 assists.
3. Peter Crinella (Wichita) – GWG 5:15 into the third period.