Iowa Heartlanders news release
Wichita, KS – The Iowa Heartlanders scored with 2:30 to go and nearly tied the Wichita Thunder with multiple chances in the final seconds, but the Thunder held on behind 35 saves from Trevor Gorsuch to outlast Iowa, 4-3, Friday at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Wichita scored three goals in the third to take a 4-2 lead. Next, Casey Dornbach assisted Kyle Masters’ third-career goal with 2:36 left, jolting Iowa within one. In the final minute, Evan Boucher (2a in debut) had a pair of shots toed away by Gorsuch in spectacular fashion. The Thunder eventually cleared and hung on for their fourth win of the season series.
Kevin McKernan registered his first career multi-goal game, potting the game’s first two goals.
Iowa took a 2-0 lead late into the second, but Jeremy Masella tallied Wichita’s first goal with 57.7 to go in the second period. Next, Wichita scored on back-to-back shots from Lleyton Moore and Brayden Watts to take the lead for the first time. Bradley Marek potted the game-winning strike at 7:20 of the third.
McKernan struck first with 2:24 left in the first, wristing a top-shelf shot over the goaltender’s glove. Boucher and Chris Lipe assisted. Next, McKernan found daylight in front of the net at 2:26 of the second, taking a feed from Boucher and pushing it over the line while falling.
Hunter Jones suffered the loss despite 35 saves.
The Heartlanders’ road trip concludes at Wichita Sat., Mar. 9 at 7:05 p.m.