The Adirondack Thunder hosted their annual Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday Night as they looked to right the ship after a tough loss on Friday Night. Both teams would have their chances in the opening period, as the Maine Mariners would have two powerplays while Adirondack would have one of their own. Still, David Fessenden and Ryan Bischel were able to shut the door and keep the game scoreless, as well as the teddy bears off the ice in the opening 20 minutes. Despite being a scoreless opening frame, it was one of the better first periods for the Thunder this season, as they’ve been outscored 21-11 in the first period through the first 21 games.
Ya, that’s the first one I’ve scored for sure. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a bunch of them, unfortantley I’m on the road doing it against teams but that’s definitley a cool moment one I’ll remember forever but I wish we got a win with it”
Ryan Wheeler on if he’s ever scored a Teddy Bear Toss Goal in his career
In the second, the Mariners would open the scoring as Carter Johnson would feed Brooklyn Kalmikov in front to open up the scoring at the 9:49 mark. It would finally be Teddy Bear Time at 12:48 as Ryan Wheeler would put home at PP goal to tie the game up at one and send the Bears flying onto the ice. Once the cleanup was done, the Mariners would quickly take back the momentum as Christian Sarlo would give Maine the lead just 11 seconds after the Wheeler goal. The Mariners weren’t done as less than five minutes later, it would be a shot from Kalmikov that just snuck through the legs of Fessenden to give Maine a 3-1 lead and one that they would hold heading into the third period. Kalmikov would have a solid weekend for the Mariners, putting up three goals and two assists throughout the two-game set against the Thunder.
“Ya, that’s why it makes me so upset and it’s ripping my heart out of my chest to see the type of effort we displayed, it’s dissappointing. We have to realise that we are playing for something other than ourselves, we always are. Tonight was a special night, I’m happy we got at least one so we can donate all these gifts to people in need”
Head Coach Pete MacArthur on the impact of Teddy Bear Toss Night
Adirondack had two chances on the PP in the third but made nothing of it. They put up just one shot on goal in the final frame, which is the Adirondack Thunder Franchise Low for shots on goal in a period. Ryan Bischel made 23 saves and, for the first time, won on back-to-back nights. He got his seventh win of the season and fourth win in his last five starts.
“Ya, PK’s fine, powerplay found another goal, one shot in the third. I’m not a math guy but I don’t think that’s very good”
Head Coach Pete MacArthur on the PK tonight
The Thunder will now look to rebound as they will face the Reading Royals in a home-and-home series next weekend as Adirondack is 4-2 this year against Reading. If there is any good news for the Thunder heading into next weekend, it’s that T.J. Friedmann is expected to be back in the lineup to hopefully give this team a boost.
“Wherever we can find guys that wanna play like #23 hardest working guy on the ice cause it’s gonna be a similar season to the first season where were gonna find the guys that are willing to do the right things and if not no matter what contract your on, you’re not playing hockey for us
Head Coach Pete MacArthur on where they can find more players if they are looking to switch things up again
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