Alex Bourret netted a hat trick to lead the Wichita Thunder over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, 4-2.

Bourret got on the scoresheet 19:32 into the first period. He then added goals at 29 seconds into the second and at 19:47 into the third.

After the loss made the series score 3-1 in the best of seven series, Rio Grande Valley faces elimination next time out.

Wichita pulled out the victory even though it was hit with 18 penalty minutes.

The Thunder forced the Killer Bees goalie John Murray to work between the pipes, taking 42 shots.

Wichita also got points from RG Flath, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Wichita were Travis Wight, who had two and Chris Chappell and Thomas Beauregard, who each chipped in one.

Rio Grande Valley put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Wichita to score on any of its five power plays.

The Killer Bees were led by Dan Gendur, who grabbed one goal and one assist. Gendur scored 9:07 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Wichita. Brady Leavold also scored for Rio Grande Valley. More assists for Rio Grande Valley came via Mike Wilson, who had one.

The Thunder's Adam Russo stopped 22 shots out of the 24 that he faced. Murray rejected 38 shots on goal for Rio Grande Valley. The Killer Bees incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.