FLAMES DROP 3-2 SHOOTOUT DECISION IN ROCHESTER

Rochester, NY – The Adirondack Flames came up just short of their sixth straight win as they fell 3-2 to the Rochester Americans in a seven round shootout on Friday evening at Blue Cross Arena.

Adirondack netminder Brad Thiessen was the star for the visitors, as he made 47 saves on 49 Rochester shots. David Wolf and Garnet Hathaway had the goals for the Flames in the losing effort. Despite the shootout loss, the Flames earned a point that gave them seven out a possible eight points on their four game road trip.

The Flames wasted no time as they took an early 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the game. Wolf picked up a loose puck on an aggressive forecheck and powered his way towards the front of the net, where he forced in the rebound after his original wrap around attempt was denied by Rochester goaltender Nathan Lieuwen. Michael Ferland and Nolan Yonkman collected assists on Wolf’s fourth goal on the campaign.

Rochester bounced back as they capitalized on a Flames turnover to tie the game at one. Brayden Irwin intercepted a Flames clearing attempt on the half wall and quickly slid the puck into the slot where Johan Larsson waited and one-timed the puck past Thiessen. The goal, which came at 13:17 of the first period, gave Larsson his third goal and eighth point of the season against Adirondack.

The Flames got their lead back late in the opening period on Hathaway’s seventh goal of the season. John Ramage led the rush and dropped the puck to the trailing Hathaway, who blasted home a slap shot from the right point. Dustin Stevensen got credit for the secondary assist on the goal at 18:36 that sent the Flames to the locker room with a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Tim Schaller got the game back to an even score with the lone goal of the second period, as he recorded his seventh of the season on a penalty shot. Schaller was awarded a penalty shot when he broke in behind the Adirondack defense and was tripped by the swinging stick of a backchecking Ryan Culkin. Schaller pulled an impressive move on the penalty shot attempt as he went forehand-to-backhand and quickly elevated the puck into the top of the net past Thiessen. Schaller made the Americans two-for-two on the season on penalty shots against Adirondack, joining teammate Joel Armia with penalty shot goals on the Flames.

The third period came and went with neither team able to get on the board. Thiessen stole the show as he made 11 saves in final 20-minute frame. The Adirondack netminder improved his regulation total to 41 saves. The game would then head into overtime with the score still knotted at two after 60 minutes of play.

After a scoreless first four minutes of overtime, the Flames saw their first 3-on-3 action of the season. Both teams electrified the Rochester crowd with exciting back and forth action but neither side was able to score. Thiessen was the Flames’ backbone once again with five stops on five shots.

It took until the 14th shooter of the shootout to decide this one, when Zach Dalpe put a low wrist shot past Thiessen. Both goalies put on a show with save after save before the Dalpe tally gave Rochester the victory.

The Flames now drop to 1-1 in shootouts this season after they previously defeated Lake Erie earlier this season in Cleveland. The shootout loss improved Adirondack to 38 points on the season, which is third most in the Western Conference.

Adirondack returns home tomorrow evening, for a matchup against the Western Conference leading Utica Comets on Teddy Bear Toss Night. Don’t forget to bring your stuffed animals out to the game to benefit the Salvation Army. Tickets are still available for tomorrow’s contest and all remaining Flames’ home games. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to be a part of Saturday Night is Hockey Night in Glens Falls.

Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up