Patterson Shuts Out Thunder in 2-0 Final

It was the second shutout of the season for the Cutthroats (10-8-1) and the first in the career of Patterson. Wichita’s Kevin Reagan stopped 27 shots for the Thunder (11-6-2) in the loss.

The win ends Wichita’s five-game win streak and pushes the Cutthroats two points back of the third place Bloomington Blaze in the CHL standings. AJ Gale recorded two assists on the night to place himself alongside Bloomington’s Jon Booras for the CHL scoring lead with 27 points.

It was a low-scoring affair through the first two periods as Denver’s Troy Schwab started the game’s scoring with just 23 seconds left in period one off a rebound to cap off a 3-on-2 rush and Brad Smyth made it a 2-0 lead midway through the second for his 11th of the season. Smyth’s tally ties him with Gale for the team lead and extended his point streak to six games, matching the team-high this season (Gabe Gauthier).

After scoring a combined five power play goals on Friday night, the two teams each finished 0-for-4 on the man-advantage. Patterson backstopped the Cutthroats through three consecutive Thunder power plays in the second period alone to keep Denver’s lead in place and turned aside all nine shots he faced in the third.

The Cutthroats begin a road trip on Tuesday when they visit the Arizona Sundogs at 6:35 PM MST.

Three Stars:
1. Kent Patterson (DEN)
2. AJ Gale (DEN)
3. Troy Schwab (DEN)

Postgame Notes:

Smyth’s three-game assist streak came to an end in the contest, but it was second straight game with a goal… Kieran Millan recorded Denver’s first shutout back on November 14 against Arizona… The Cutthroats lost their first three games in Arizona earlier this year and will meet the Sundogs for the sixth time overall… Luke Fulghum assisted on Schwab’s first period goal to tally the 399th point of his pro career…

Recap courtesy of the Denver Cutthroats

Personal Note:

Yo, Kronke. 5,974 in attendance. Just sayin.