The Adirondack Thunder have kicked off 2024 the same way they ended 2023 with a win as the Thunder improved to 19-8-2-1 this year and now sit just two points out of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. In the opening frame, Joe Vrbetic and Vinnie Purpura would both make some big saves to keep the game scoreless, and it looked to be one of those nights where goaltending would be on display. In the second, the Thunder came to play as Patrick Grasso would score his 78th career goal, with the Thunder tying the franchise record with Brian Ward, and would be the first of two PP goals for Adirondack on the night. Adirondack would double their lead shortly after Grant Jozefek’s goal would be called off, but instead, it would be Tristan Ashbrook who tipped a shot from Colin Felix, and 41 seconds later, it would be a great toe drag from Jace Isley who fed Travis Broughman for his fourth of the season. Topias Vilen, who was sent down from Utica, finished off his three-point night by finding the back of the net on the PP. Vilen now has a goal and four assists in three games with the Thunder this season. Purpura’s shutout would eventually be ruined as Charles-Antoine Paiement would beat a sprawling Purpura for his first career pro goal. Yushiro Hirano would score with less than two minutes left to cap off his three-point night, and Timur Ibragimov would pick up an assist in his first game with the Thunder. Vinnie Purpura would make 36 saves for his ninth win of the season.
Adirondack will begin a home-and-home Friday with Maine and face the Trois-Rivieres Lions on Sunday Afternoon before heading to Newfoundland for three games to wrap up the first half of their season.
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