THUNDER MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW

Glens Falls, NY—The Adirondack Thunder struck early and often in their season opener at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Saturday evening, as they defeated the Manchester Monarchs by a score of 4-2. Backed by a brilliant performance by goaltender Ken Appleby (37 saves), the Thunder were able to ward off the Monarchs by scoring within the first five minutes of each period en route to their third straight victory.

Rob Bordson, who sealed the deal in overtime against the Brampton Beast on Friday night, was able to find the back of the net at 3:13 of the first period on the Thunder’s first shot on goal. Bordson jetted down the middle of the ice toward the slot and received a quick pass from Louick Marcotte, which he placed into the top-shelf over the left shoulder of Monarchs goaltender Michael Houser. Bordson continued to generate chances throughout the night and was a constant threat in the Monarchs’ end, ultimately finishing the game with a goal, an assist and a plus-3 rating.

The Thunder carried the lead into the second period, where they quickly extended it to 2-0 when Louick Marcotte put a shot past Houser’s short-side 3:41 into the middle frame. Kyle Flanagan cycled the puck around the end-boards and found Marcotte open in the slot, and the Longueuil, PQ native buried his chance for his second point of the night and third goal this season.

The momentum began to change, however, when Flanagan received a double minor penalty for high-sticking at 6:21 of the period. The Thunder’s penalty killers were perfect throughout the evening and generated several short-handed chances, but the Monarchs’ Josh Brown cut the lead in half just 30 seconds after the penalty expired. Appleby was a catalyst for his team as the Monarchs continued their second period surge, outshooting the Thunder 14-4 in the process.

The Thunder ultimately gathered themselves during the second intermission and started the third period with yet another early goal. Houser was able to stop Ryan Lomberg on a breakaway chance that created a rebound in front for Mads Eller, who attempted to play the puck but was hauled down. On the delayed penalty call, defenseman David Shields found Michael Kirkpatrick in open ice and snapped it home.

Less than a minute later, James Henry scored his first goal of the season after he received a beautiful feed in the slot from Greg Wolfe. Houser attempted to dive and poke-check the puck away from Henry, which created an open-net for Henry to slip one past the Monarch netminder at 3:30 of the third period.

With plenty of time still left in the third period, the Monarchs were able to answer at 5:44 to cut into the Thunder’s lead once again. Zac Larraza’s point-shot deflected off a Thunder player in front of the net, leaving a wide-open rebound chance for Joe Diamond to slip his first goal of the season past Appleby. The Monarchs continued to generate chances in the third, but were ultimately thwarted by the efforts of both Appleby and the team’s penalty-killing unit, which went 5-for-5 on the night.

Full season, partial season, flex and group ticket plans are now available to renew or purchase for the Adirondack Thunder’s inaugural 2015-16 season, presented by Bud Light, along with an Opening Night pack. To purchase tickets, contact the Adirondack Thunder front office at 518-480-3355 x1, visit echlthunder.com/season tickets or stop by the Adirondack Thunder front offices, located at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

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The Days Of Thunder Are Coming To Glens Falls