The Adirondack Thunder will head out to Stateline, Nevada, to play one of the newest teams in the ECHL, the Tahoe Knight Monsters. Heading into the series, both teams have struggled as they are each 3-7-1 in their last 10 games. However, Adirondack has won their last two games as the Knight Monsters have dropped their last four.
Players To Watch
Adirondack:
Kishaun Gervais: The 23-year-old forward has boosted the Adirondack Thunder lineup since returning to the lineup as he has two goals and four assists for six points in four games with the Thunder. Adirondack needed some more offense to help out guys like Kevin O’Neil and Ryan Francis who are both having solid seasons as well. Gervais, who began the season with the Tulsa Oilers before being traded to Adirondack, has two goals in three games against the Knight Monsters.
Kevin O’Neil- There have been a lot of changes with Adirondack throughout their lineup this season, but one consistent piece has been Kevin O’Neil. The Latham, NY native was one of the bigger pieces that the Thunder went out and got this season and came into the season being a point-per-game player. He hasn’t disappointed the Thunder so far, as he has 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 36 games. O’Neil leads the team in assists (23) and points (34)
Grant Loven– Head Coach Pete MacArthur has preached the play of Grant Loven ever since he’s gotten to Adirondack, as he’s the kind of player that is built for ADK hockey and never gives up on a play. In 25 games this season, he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points, including six points in his last game. Loven in a guy who can fit in anywhere in the Adirondack lineup and still find a way to be a difference-maker.
Tahoe
Sloan Stanick– The rookie forward is putting up solid numbers in his first season as he has 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 42 games and leads the team in points. This doesn’t come as a shock, as Stanick is coming off back-to-back seasons in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders. Stanick leads all rookies in assists (26) and shots (147). He is second among rookies in points (45).
Simon Pinard- The Drummondville, Quebec native is in his second year in the Golden Knights System and is already just eight points away from tying his numbers from last season. In 38 games this season he has 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points in 38 games. He is second in the league with eight PP goals, three behind former teammate Ross Armour.
Brennan Kapcheck– Brennan Kapcheck is a name that should ring a bell to Thunder fans, as he had six assists against the Thunder during the 2021-22 season. In 41 games with the Knight Monsters he has three goals and 23 assists for 26 points and is on pace for a career year.
A Familiar Face Behind the Tahoe Bench
The Adirondack Thunder will see a familiar face in Alex Loh, after he got named head coach of the Knight Monsters before the season began. For Loh, being part of an expansion team is nothing new for Loh as he served as the assistant coach of the Savannah Ghost Pirates when they joined the league for the 2022-23 season before being named the interim coach for Savannah on February 1st, 2024. Loh,40, has worked with the Vegas Golden Knight organization for the past three season and it’s starting to pay off as Tahoe sits third in the Mountain Division with a record of 25-15-3-1 through their first 44 games.
Keys To The Game
Stay Out Of The Box– Staying out of the box hasn’t been an issue for the Knight Monsters this season, as they have committed the least amount of penalties in the league, averaging under 10 minutes a game. For Adirondack they have had issues staying out of the box as they are fourth in the league averaging 16 and a half penalty minutes a game. This was especially an issue during the last two games vs Reading Royals where they had 30 minutes in penalties over the two games.
Out-of-division matchup– Adirondack has undoubtedly struggled this year, but they’ve been especially bad in games outside of the North Division. In seven games this year against the South Division, Adirondack has gone 1-7-1, with their only win coming in South Carolina. Tahoe on the other hand has not struggled out of the Divison as they are 6-4-1 in 11 games this year outside of the Mountain Division. It will be interesting to see how the Thunder matchup against Tahoe, especially since they have three more games this month against out-of-division teams. Adirondack is tied for the league lead with seven short-handed goals.
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