WICHITA, Kan. – The ECHL has released the schedule for the first ten games of the 2020-21 season that begins on Friday, December 11, 2020 and concludes on Thursday, January 14, 2021.

As a reminder, the ECHL is operating this season with a split-season format, meaning that 13 teams will play a full 72-game schedule, while the remaining 12 teams play 62 games. The Atlanta Gladiators have opted out of the upcoming season due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Thunder will open their season on December 11, when they travel to Tulsa to take on the Oilers in their home opener. The home-opener, eight days later, kick off three straight games against the Kansas City Mavericks (December 19, 26 & 27).

After spending Christmas at home, the Thunder hit the road for the New Year’s holiday, playing in Allen on New Year’s Eve, before coming home for two more against the Americans in the first two days of January.

The first ten-game stretch finishes off with three-straight games in the Black Hills against the Rapid City Rush on January 6, 8, and 9.

Below is a full list of the first 10 games to begin the season (Home games in bold):

Friday, December 11 at Tulsa
Saturday, December 19 vs. Kansas City
Saturday, December 26 vs. Kansas City
Sunday, December 27 vs. Kansas City
Thursday, December 31 at Allen
Friday, January 1 vs. Allen
Saturday, January 2 vs. Allen
Wednesday, January 6 at Rapid City
Friday, January 8 at Rapid City
Saturday, January 9 at Rapid City

Overall, the Thunder will see Tulsa once, which is good considering the Thunder won just four of the 11 meetings against the Oilers in the shortened season. They will see Allen, Kansas City, and Rapid City, three times each in the first ten games. Last season, Wichita went 17-15-4 against the Americans, Mavericks, and Rush.

For the latest news on the Wichita Thunder, follow Matthew Harding and Matthew Will on Twitter @SinBinThunder.