GLENS FALLS- The Adirondack Thunder and Norfolk Admirals kicked off their three-game series on Friday Night in Glens Falls, and the opening game didn’t disappoint as it lived up to all the expectations and finished a one-goal game. Shane Bull was back in the Thunder lineup on Friday after being a healthy scratch and didn’t disappoint as he would score just 2:46 after the opening draw as the Thunder had a two-on-one, and Bull opted for the shot as he would beat Oskari Salminen for his first pro goal. The opening goal wouldn’t phase the Admirals as Carson Musser would fire a shot from the point that would beat Isaac Poulter. Things would start to get a little chippy late in the first as Ryan Wheeler and Stepan Timofeyev would exchange cross-checks as they would each head off for matching minors. It would be the other Shane who’d give the Thunder the lead as Harper would put home a rebound for his 17th of the year, and Adirondack would carry a 2-1 lead into the second, but as the horn sounded on the opening frame, Darion Skeoch would be found screaming and pointing at the Norfolk bench.
That’s obviously feels great, to get your first pro goal has always been a dream of mine and for that to come true is awesome and credit to my linemates for making the play start and I just put it in the net
Shane Bull on his first career goal
It wouldn’t take long for the Thunder to get on the board in the second as T.J. Friedmann would put home a rebound just 34 seconds into the middle frame for his fifth goal of the season and first since 12/22. Norfolk would respond with a goal of their own as Keaton Jameson got his 12th of the season at the 5:47 mark of the period. Once again, the playoff atmosphere was in full effect as, for the second straight period, there would be words and punches exchanged after the horn ended the period as Travis Broughman and Mark Liwiski would both begin the third period in the penalty box. Adirondack would attempt to finish the Admirals off early in the third, as Matt Stief and Tristan Ashbrook scored 2:58 apart, and the Thunder were in the driver’s seat up three with 12 minutes to go in the third. Penalties would come back to bite Adirondack as Norfolk would score on back-to-back PPs to cut the lead within one. Thirty-two seconds after the PP goal by Danny Katic, Simon Kubieck got called for holding and was not pleased with the call, slamming his stick and his helmet and putting his hands on the official as he would the minor for holding, a 10-minute misconduct, and a game misconduct, Liwiski would also get a 10-minute misconduct. Adirondack would hold on to win 5-4 as Isaac Poulter would pick up the win, making 30 saves in his first game with the Thunder since April 7th, 2023.
“I think it does, we have some physical guys on our team that aren’t here right now either, it will be between us and however many more times we play the rest of the year, especially the next two”
Pete MacArthur on if Friday’s Game set the tone for the rest of the weekend
