The Adirondack Thunder are once again making changes prior to Game 3 vs Norfolk Admirals as they will look to avoid going down 3-0. Forwards Alex Young and T.J. Friedmann head to reserve along with defenseman Brendan Less. Young has been in and out of the Thunder lineup during the Kelly Cup Playoffs after playing in seven games with the Thunder at the end of the regular season while putting up two goals and four assists for six points. Friedmann will be a healthy scratch for the first time in the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs after playing the first nine games but failing to find the scoresheet; he played in 26 games during the regular season with Adirondack, putting up six goals and four assists for 10 points. Brendan Less will be scratched tonight for the first time since Game 3 vs Maine Mariners; like the other two players placed on reserve today, Less has yet to find the scoresheet during the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Matt Stief will be back in the lineup tonight and will make his third appearance of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs after being a healthy scratch for the past five games. In 70 games during the regular season, Stief had four goals and 31 assists for 35 points. His 31 assists and 35 points led all Thunder blueliners and will add an offensive boost to the Thunder backend for Game 3. Andre Ghantous will be back in the Thunder lineup tonight after being a healthy scratch in Game 2 vs Norfolk Admirals. Ghantous has had a solid Kelly Cup Playoffs offensively, putting up one goal and three assists for four points in seven Kelly Cup Playoff Games. Erik Middendorf is back in the lineup after missing Game 2 vs Norfolk with a minor undisclosed injury. The Arizona native has two assists in seven Kelly Cup Playoff games.
