The Tahoe Knight Monsters faced off against the Wichita Thunder in game thirty-seven of the season. This matchup featured two teams heading in different directions in the standings. As the ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, Tahoe has enjoyed a strong campaign. Sitting third in the division with a 21-12-3 record. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder, affiliated with the San Jose Sharks, entered this contest in sixth place, holding a 13-14-6 record. With both teams looking to make a statement, this game presented a prime opportunity for Tahoe to continue its push up the standings while Wichita aimed to gain momentum and close the gap in the playoff race.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters headed into this matchup searching for their twenty-second win of the season, with a chance to tie for second place in the division. Riding a four-game winning streak, Tahoe were aiming to make it five straight victories as they continued to build momentum at a crucial point in the season. On the other side, the Wichita Thunder were in pursuit of their fourteenth win and were desperate to snap a frustrating four-game losing streak. Stuck near the bottom of the division, Wichita was searching for any spark that could help turn their season around and get them moving back in the right direction.
#34 Jordan Papirny got the start in net for the Tahoe Knight Monsters. It was his fifteenth game played this season for Tahoe. #31 Roddy Ross got the start in net for the Wichita Thunder. It was his nineteenth game played this season for Wichita.
Five minutes into the game, #16 Jake Durflinger scored to give the Tahoe Knight Monsters the lead. His goal was assisted by #14 Connor Marritt.
Six minutes into the game, the Wichita Thunder tied the game. The tying goal was scored by #16 Kyle Crnkovic. His goal was assisted by #3 Kirby Proctor.
With under eight minutes left in the first period, Jake Durflinger of Tahoe was called for roughing. With under four minutes left in the period, Noah Beck of Wichita was called for holding. The score was tied at 1-1 after the first period.
Fifty seconds into the second period, Mike O’Leary of Tahoe was called for hooking. Four minutes into the second period, Nico Somerville of Wichita was called for delay of game. With under five minutes left in the second period, the Tahoe Knight Monsters retook the lead. #25 Casey Bailey scored the goal. His goal was assisted by #5 Kaelan Taylor.
The score was 2-1 Tahoe Knight Monsters after the second period.
Seven minutes into the third period, the Thunder tied the game again. The tying goal was scored by #29 Matt Crasa. His goal was assisted by #8 Spencer Blackwell and #27 Nolan Kneen.
Shortly after the tying goal, John Gormley of Wichita was called for tripping. Halfway through the third period, #17 Ryan Finnegan scored to give the Thunder the lead. His goal was assisted by #18 Kyle Jeffers.
The final score was 3-2 Wichita Thunder.
https://echl.com/videos/wichita-thunder-vs-tahoe-knight-monsters-jan-16-2026
Both teams found the back of the net in the opening period, setting the tone for what would become a tightly contested matchup. Tahoe grabbed the momentum in the second period by taking the lead, but the game quickly swung in Wichita’s favor in the third. The Thunder responded with a tying goal before scoring again to take the lead, completing the comeback and snapping their losing streak in the process. For Tahoe, the loss marked the end of their own winning streak and dealt a blow to their push in the standings. With the defeat, the Knight Monsters now find themselves slipping further away from first and second place, with the looming threat of dropping to fourth in the division. Tahoe struggled to generate offense in the final frame and failed to build on their earlier lead, allowing Wichita to stay within striking distance. Missed opportunities on the power play proved costly, as the Knight Monsters were unable to capitalize when it mattered most. In the end, those small moments made the difference and swung the outcome in Wichita’s favor.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters are set to face the Wichita Thunder in their thirty-eighth game of the season. This matchup is the second of back-to-back games in Wichita. The puck is dropping on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
Zac Electrifly 
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