GLENS FALLS– The Adirondack Thunder and Maine Mariners opened up their best-of-seven series and fifth straight game against each other on Friday Night at the Cool Insuring Arena. In the game’s opening minutes, the Thunder seemed a bit flat but would get a chance on the power-play just 2:33 into the game but couldn’t find a way to find the back of the net. Adirondack’s best chance in the first came at the 10:17 mark as Alex Young would feed Erik Middendorf for a golden chance in front, but Brad Arvanitis would make a huge save to keep the game scoreless. The Mariners would get a power-play opportunity of their own, and unlike the Thunder, they would find a way to covert as Alex Kile fed Adam Mechura in front for a tip-in just 13 seconds into the man advantage, and they would have the lead after the first despite being outshot 15-7.
In the second, it would be a weird bounce off the back of the net that would fool Isaac Poulter as he would be caught looking the wrong way as Wyllum Deveaux would tap it in to double the Mariner’s lead. Adirondack would quickly respond as they got another chance on the PP as Ty Cheveldayoff would be called for a double-minor for high-sticking. It took Adirondack only 18 seconds to find the back of the net to put the team within one as Tristan Ashbrook cleaned up a rebound for his first career Kelly Cup Playoff goal, as it would be a one-goal game after two.
“Ya, definitly, It was mine and a handfull of other guys first playoffs game in pro and we didn’t exactly know what to expect but now that we have a feel for it, it should be a little bit more normal and should have a little better focus”
Tristan Ashbrook when asked if the playoff jitters are gone after tonight’s game
In the third period, Adirondack would shutdown the Maine offense, holding them to only one shot in the final frame, but the Thunder would get looks but wouldn’t be able to put much on the Maine net as they only ended up with six shots in the final 20 as the Mariners would take game one as Brad Arvanitis would stop 35 of the 36 shots that he saw on the night. For the Thunder, it wasn’t the typical “Adirondack Thunder Hockey” that we are used to, and that might be because it’s a young team, and there were a lot of guys playing in their first career Kelly Cup Playoff game. Adirondack will look to bounce back on Sunday evening in what Head Coach Pete MacArthur calls a “must-win” game for the Thunder.
“We have a chance to steal two games in the playoffs on the road, I think that’s going to be our mentality, you have a signaficant chance, and you have a chance to make some memories and we’re in the memory making business”
Head Coach Terrance Wallin on the message to his team heading into Game 2
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