The Adirondack Thunder hosted their 10th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday Night as they faced off against the Reading Royals. They welcomed back a couple of former players, including James Henry, Shawn Weller, Brandon Kasel, Jeff Taylor, and Paul Rodrigues. The team would also wear specialty jerseys that looked very similar to their home jerseys from 2005.
“I got two. Gunnar Hughes scoring in double OT to beat South Carolina here and that was crazy and number one was when Shane Conacher came back and scored on Stick it to Cancer Night”
Head Coach Pete MacArthur on if he had a favorite Adirondack Thunder Memory
One of the big things that had hurt the Thunder over the last couple of games was that they were falling behind early, but tonight, that wouldn’t be an issue. Adirondack would get the crowd into the game early as Kevin O’Neil found Andre Ghantous in front as Ghantous netted his fifth of the season just 33 seconds in and then Darian Skeoch would drop the gloves with Sawyer Boulton at the 1:59 mark of the period, and the crowd of 5100 were rocking and rolling out of the gate. The Thunder would get their first PP of the game at the seventeen-minute mark, and it would take just 21 seconds to score as Brendan Less found Kevin O’Neil for a one-timer and he found the back of the net for his fourth of the season as the Thunder were up 2-0 with less than three minutes to play in the first. Reading, who couldn’t take advantage of their first PP opportunity, would convert on their second as Mason Primeau added a PP goal of his own just 1:17 after the O’Neil goal to make it a one-goal game after the opening 20.
“Ya, the powerplay has been struggling a little bit so it’s good, we’ve been keeping it simple and nice to see one go in. We’ve had a lot of chances”
Adirondack Thunder forward Kevin O’Neil on the PP
In the second, both teams would get some chances, but the Thunder would have two PP opportunities and a ton of good looks but couldn’t convert. With less than two minutes left in the second period, it would be some nice passing that would lead to a nice forehand-backhand goal by Andre Ghantous for his second of the night as the Thunder would take a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. In the third, the Royals would take advantage of another PP opportunity, as this time, it would be Connor McMenamin who scored from the circle just 2:38 into the final frame to give the Royals some life. Adirondack would find a way to shut the door as they would hold Reading to just four shots in the third and 22 in the game, for the second time in two nights, Adirondack would hold their opponent to under 25 shots in the game as Tyler Brennan had to make just 20 saves for his third win of the season. Keith Petruzzeli would start back-to-back for the first time this season and made 35 saves in the loss on Saturday Night.
“Ya, definitely a special night for us and the organization so it’s great to be able to have a full 60, something we’ve been preaching for a while and be able to get back in the win column
Adirondack Thunder Forward Andre Ghantous on being able to pick up the win on Saturday Night
However, despite the win, the Thunder would lose a player to injury for the second straight night as T.J. Friedmann would leave early in the first and wouldn’t return. Head Coach Pete MacArthur said post-game that it doesn’t look good. Adirondack is expected to have Ryan Smith back for Wednesday Night; another move is coming on Monday.
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