The Adirondack Thunder have now lost a season-high six games and eight of their last nine as they suffered another divisional sweep this weekend as they lost their first game against the Growlers on Friday and continued to have trouble against the Maine Mariners, who have now beat them in all five of their matchups this season and in 9 of 11 games in the calendar year. Shane Harper was the most significant loss of the weekend as he left the game on Friday after taking a big hit from Chris Martenet, and there is no timetable on Harper’s return, according to the Thunder. As a result of the hit, Shawn Weller left the bench to fight Martenet and was suspended six games, Yanick Turcotte was suspended four for a cross-check, and head coach Pete MacArthur also got a one game suspension. As a result of that suspension, Adirondack was short-handed all weekend, and it showed in their games against Maine. Let’s take a deeper dive into Saturday and Sunday’s games.
New Coach, Same Result
Adirondack came into tonight’s game down three key guys in Shawn Weller, Shane Harper, and Yanick Turcotte. Players weren’t the only thing the Thunder missed, as Pete MacArthur was also suspended for tonight’s game. Mike Bergin would get his first game as the Thunder bench boss, “It was a little different, but it’s all the same coaching the D and being part of the team. It was a lot of fun tonight, and I’m really proud of the guys, a lot of guys playing different roles right now and competed hard a couple of blunders where we gave them too much space, and they capitalized,” but I think we can learn from this and keep getting better” said acting Head Coach Mike Bergin. Once again, the Thunder have gotten off to a slow start which has sadly become the norm for the team as Matthew Santos would open the scoring at the 10:29 mark of the period on a deflection that Jake Theut should’ve had. The Mariners would use that opening goal as momentum as it was one of three goals in 6:31 seconds which had Maine up 3-0 after 20 and the looks of a not-so-pretty night for Adirondack. This year, the second period has been the best period for the Thunder, and that middle frame would get them back in the game tonight. Jarrod Gourley would get the party started as he got a pass from Xavier Parent in the slot and buried it home for his fourth of the season on a four-on-four. Garrett Van Wyhe would have a chance on the break-away and miss the net completely but would get another chance and miss again. However, it would go off the skate of Grant Gabriele and into the net to make it a one-goal game heading into the third, “I was definitely surprised after I hit the post, I kinda flew by the net, so I was lucky to get that bounce off the skate but just trying to help the team and I was able to get the bounce there” said Van Wyhe. Adirondack was pushing hard for that tying goal in the third, and despite being outshot 14-7 in the final frame, it felt like the momentum was on their side. However, they couldn’t find the equalizer and would drop this one 3-2. Jake Theut would make 29 saves in the loss.
Francois Brassard Scores As Thunder Skid Hits Six
The Adirondack Thunder suffered yet another loss at the hands of the Maine Mariners as they dropped Sunday’s game by a score of 5-2. It wouldn’t take the Mariners long to score as Tim Doherty would find his own rebound and put it past Poulter just 2:10 into the opening frame. Just 3:47 after that, Reid Stefanson would put one five-hole to beat Poulter, and the Thunder found themselves down two less than halfway through the opening frame. Adirondack desperately needed something to go their way, and it would be Colin Long who got a nice pass from Nick Rivera and got the Thunder on the board at the 14:08 mark of the period. Adirondack has been strong on the PK this season, but for the second straight game, they would give up a PP goal as Nick Master got a deflection on a point shot from Grant Gabriele as Maine retook their two goal lead. Adirondack would stay in the game as Ryan DaSilva picked up his first goal of the season, but for Da Silva, it’s about wins and not goals, “At the end of the day, we’re here to win games, not score goals,” said Da Silva. The Thunder would get their chances but wouldn’t be able to find the back of the net as Nick Jermain would get an empty netter and goaltender Francois Brassard would miss on his first attempt but would pick up his first ECHL goal on his second attempt as the Thunder lost 5-2. Isaac Poulter made 38 saves in his first start for Adirondack since November 4th, “I think just getting my feet under me, I haven’t played in three weeks, so I think just moving my feet lots and paying attention and mentally resetting after those goals” said Poulter on what adjustments he made after giving up the two early goals. Adirondack will look to right the ship on Friday before the Christmas break, “work hard, show up for these guys, stay positive, get better as individuals as a team. Nothing else you can do a couple of pucks start jumping in the net it looks a lot different” said Head Coach Pete MacArthur on the approach for Friday’s game.
