Thunder Live | Shorthanded at wide receiver

At halftime, the Thunder trail, 27-20, at home against the Albany Conquest. Both teams are 5-8 and need the win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. (Eight teams qualify from the Thunder's American conference and they are tied for 10th as the weekend begins.)

The Thunder are playing without their two best wide receivers — DeMarcus Mathes and Chris Archie. DeMathes lost feeling in his body last weekend after he slammed head-first into the padded boards. He's on injured reserve and done for the season.

Archie's status with the team hasn't been explained.

In their absence, Chris Johnson has taken charge, scoring the Thunder's three first-half touchdowns.

The Thunder's offense was stopped on its first possession, then put together three scoring drives. The Conquest scored on their first three possessions, then lost the ball on an interception by Reggie Perkins. In the final seconds of the half, the Conquest regained the lead when Youngstown native Chris Curd caught his third touchdown pass.