WORCESTER, Mass.- The Worcester Railers hosted the Adirondack Thunder on Friday night at the DCU Center, for the first of a two-game weekend set between these two teams. The Railers would get the win 4-2, highlighted by a strong third period, netting three goals including an empty net goal with 15 seconds left in regulation.
The Thunder would get on the board first, the goal coming at 9:31 when Tristan Ashbrook broke in on Railers goalie Henrik Tikkanen, putting a high wrist shot over the glove of Tikkanen. With 49 seconds left in the first period, Worcester Railers forward Riley Piercey would score his first professional goal, a nice tip-in over Thunder goalie Jeremy Brodeur’s blocker. The pass came off a nice saucer feed from the stick of right winger Keeghan Howdershell, who picked up the primary assist.
In the second period, the Railers outshot the Thunder 17-6, but despite Worcester carrying the majority of the play, neither team would score a goal, with both goalies coming up with key saves, keeping the score tied at 1-1, heading into the third period.
The third period would see four goals scored, the first goal coming from Railers forward Blade Jenkins at 10:56, the assist picked up by goalie Henrik Tikkanen, giving the Railers a 2-1 lead. Adirondack would tie the game on a goal from former Railers Grant Jozefek at 17:01 of the third. Worcester Railers captain Anthony Repaci would be the hometown hero, scoring the game winning goal with 40 seconds left in regulation. Andrei Bakanov added the empty net goal with 15 second left, nailing the win and final score. The final shot count was Worcester 41-25 margin over the Thunder.
The three stars of the game, all from Worcester were: 1st- Anthony Repaci, 2nd- Henrik Tikkanen, 3rd- Riley Piercey.
To read an in-depth recap of the weekend games by Armand Klisivitch click here.
Check out this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Rich LeBlanc for highlights from the game.
