AMBUSH LOSE TO WICHITA IN FINAL MINUTE

by Jim Fossell

Park City, KS

The St. Louis Ambush dropped a 7-5 contest when they gave up two late goals to the Wichita B-52s Saturday night, January 10 at Hartman Arena. The Ambush record slipped to 3-7, while the B-52s improved to 6-6.

The Ambush and B-52s traded goals in the first quarter, with Byron Alvarez scoring first for Wichita and David Paul answering for St. Louis.

Wichita opened the gap in the second quarter with two goals by Brent Hopson and another from Alex Moseley. Richard Schmermund scored St. Louis’ lone tally of the quarter. Wichita enjoyed a 4-2 lead at the halftime break.

Moseley scored his second of the contest at 11:37 of the third quarter to increase Wichita’s lead to 5-2, but St. Louis answered just 16 seconds later when a header from Blake Ordell found the back of the net. Stefan St. Louis scored for the Ambush on a power play to close the gap to 5-4, where it remained for the rest of the period.

The Ambush drew even early in the final stanza (1:56) on a sliding goal by Axel Duarte. Wichita took back the lead (6-5) with just 50 seconds remaining when Alvarez scored his second of the game. Chris Mattingly was then brought in as the sixth attacker for St. Louis, but that strategy only resulted in an empty-net goal by Matt Clare with eight seconds remaining to nail the 7-5 final for the B-52s.

The Ambush will be without the services of speedy midfielder Emanuel “Manny” Forbes for the rest of the season while he recovers from a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL).  Forbes has appeared in nine games for the Ambush and contributed four goals and four assists.

Saturday’s match was the first of three consecutive away games for the Ambush, who face the Missouri Comets next Friday, January 16, then return to Hartman Arena for a rematch with the B-52s on Saturday, January 17. The Ambush return home to the Family Arena when they host the Tulsa Revolution for the first time ever on Friday, January 23 at 7:35 p.m.

For the latest Ambush news, watch the Ambush official website, stlouisambush.com and the team’s Facebook page, facebook.com/stlouisambush. Group and single game tickets are available for all remaining Ambush home games. Call the Ambush office at 636-477-6363 for more information. Single game tickets can be purchased at the Family Arena box office or online at metrotix.com.