FLAMES THIES-SEND ROCHESTER HOME WITH 4-0 SHUTOUT VICTORY

Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Flames downed the Rochester Americans for the fourth time this season on Saturday by a 4-0 final in front of 3,377 fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

While there was no shortage of highlights for the Flames in this one, Adirondack goaltender Brad Thiessen headlined the show. Thiessen was stellar all night, as he turned aside all 21 shots that were sent his direction to earn his fifth win of the season. It was also the Northeastern graduate’s first shutout in an Adirondack Flames uniform. Sven Baertschi had a night to remember as well, as he scored twice in the win, alongside Corban Knight and Ken Agostino who also lit the lamp.

On this night it was the Flames who struck first, as Baertschi beat Rochester netminder Pat Nagle at 9:47 of the opening period. Baertschi, a native of Switzerland, intercepted the puck in the neutral zone, raced down the ice on an uncontested breakaway and beat Nagle five-hole with a wrist shot. The goal, which was his third of the season, came unassisted.

The Flames doubled their lead at 10:24 of the second period when Knight beat Nagle off of a well-placed feed from Agostino. After Adirondack sent the puck into the zone, Garnet Hathaway won the race to the corner and shuffled it up the boards to Agostino. Agostino then found Knight dashing into the zone, fed him the puck between the circles, and Knight ripped a shot past Nagle and into the net. The goal, which was Knight’s seventh of the season, was assisted by Agostino and Hathaway. Agostino’s point was his first in the past 13 games.

The score remained the same for the majority of the final stanza, until Ken Agostino netted his fourth of the season with the Rochester net empty. The goal for Agostino was assisted by Hathaway and Ryan Culkin and came at 17:31 of the period.

With time winding down, a three-goal lead, and Nagle back between the pipes for the Americans, the Flames added one final goal with 49.7 seconds to go. Bill Arnold sent the puck up to Emile Poirier, who then came down the left side on a two-on-one with Baertschi. Poirier sent the puck to his cohort across the ice and the Portland Winterhawk product wasted no time as he blew it past Nagle for his second tally of the evening. The goal was Baertschi’s fourth of the campaign, as both Poirier and Arnold earned the assists.

The Flames return to action on Tuesday against San Antonio, as the Rampage will visit the Civic Center, before a tussle with the Oklahoma City Barons on Friday evening. Puck drop for both games is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening’s game against San Antonio is a Great Meadow Federal Credit Union Tuesday. Tickets are still available for that matchup, and all remaining Flames’ home games. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com.

Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up