Season Ends In Wichita

#6 DALLAS SNIPERS @ #3 WICHITA JR. THUNDER

Best-of-three series/all games at Wichita Ice Center

GAME 1 Friday, March 17 Wichita 7, Dallas 3

GAME 2 Saturday, March 18 Wichita 3, Dallas 2 (OT)

Wichita Jr. Thunder win series, 2 games to 0; advance to play Oklahoma City Blazers

The Dallas Snipers took the Wichita Jr. Thunder to sudden-death overtime in Game Two of their Mid-Western Division Quarterfinal series, but Wichita’s Peter Cicmanec scored a highlight reel goal to clinch the series for the Jr. Thunder.

The Snipers hung in Game One Friday well into the second period, never leading, but staying within a goal. Wichita’s potent offense finally broke through, however. Two goals late in the second period, then two more early in the third, put the game away in a 7-3 Jr. Thunder win.

Zach Balodis scored to break a 1-1 tie in the first period, and dished out three assists in the game. David Good also had three helpers and Oskar Gullstrom (2-1-3) scored twice for Wichita.

Alexander Moustakis made 36 saves for Dallas – including 15 in the first period to help the Snipers weather the storm early and stay in the game.

Erik Spath made 19 saves for the Jr. Thunder.

Moustakis refused to let Dallas go quietly in Game Two. He made an amazing 68 saves on 70 shots in regulation, and recorded two more saves in OT, before Cicmanec’s winner.

After a scoreless first period, Sterling Cooper gave the Snipers a 1-0 lead 4:31 into the second. It looked like Dallas was going to take a one-goal lead into the third period, but Oskar Gullstrom tied it up in the final minute of the period.

Gullstrom struck again, 6:28 into the third, to give Wichita their first lead of the game. The Snipers didn’t fold, though, they came up with the tying goal, from Alexander Yunanov, then Moustakis kept the Jr. Thunder off the board for the final 10:08 of regulation.

Cicmanec’s goal came 3:12 into sudden-death and Wichita advanced.

Adam Conkling tended the twine for the Jr. Thunder, making 32 saves.