Hello from Wichita. Was great being back at the rink watching our Thunder this weekend. Fast forward 2 come from behind wins!! We played Tahoe the Vegas Knights affiliate. They are only in their 3 year of existing and let's say they live up to Vegas connection. Dirty as heck. Definitely the team that will take runs at your goalie mock an injured player. And just straight hated.

New coach and new energy in the building from both players and fans. Travis Clayton (new HC) made a point that over the off season was more open conversation with the Sharks organization and how the team down here will be playing a style similar to the big clubs even with out ECHL contracted players.

As such team played a much more heavy in your face style.

Some highlights on SJ players.

Goalies both goalies looked good but at different levels of development.

Connor Hasley looked good in game 1 did give up 2 but neither I would say were bad ones. He is not afraid to play the puck. When post whistle stuff would happen he seemed to enjoy getting into it. Also on the Sat sheet he not only picked up the win but added the lone assist on the GWG.

Yaroslav Korostelev got the start game 2 and held his own. Not as sharp but he is a 19yo. Don't know if you read any articles about when the Sharks brought him over from Russia this off-season. On a note about his energy game 1 he was as into us as a fan. I have watched a lot of hockey and have never seen a back up so into a game. Was ganging the boards, fist bumps, just captain energy. He won over our crew by not even playing and we will be cheering him on!

Forwards

Matt Lockhart. He has got that nasty to go with a scoring touch. 1g 2a on the weekend. It was definitely a physical and post whistle get together weekend and he stood out as being in it.

Defensemen

I am going to combine them together Tristin Sarsland picked up a goal and assist. And Mack Oliphant an assist. Both were 100% into the physical and nasty of the game. Both taking it and dealing it out. Only real note in unfortunately Oliphant got out of position chasing the play at one point and provided a "perfect screen" for one of Tahoe's goals. But other than that they both looked solid with some things to work on.

On tap this week just 1 game Friday against one of our classic rivals Tulsa (Ducks). Also Matt Davis was sent down so will be interesting to see how the goalie shuffle goes with 3 from the big clubs. If all 3 are needing ice time I could see an outside chance of one being loaned to another ECHL club to get into more games.

Here are the team highlight videos from the weekend.

https://youtu.be/aEdsfLHaeqk?is=zy3mAlXNqXfVAd7z

https://youtu.be/GGnFiEfVlh4?is=B_-Z8Z7k1nSPuJmh

As always if you want me to keep an eye on a specific player or anything feel free to ask. Also I am always down to facilitate a trade of some team swag. I liked doing these last season was lots of fun.