THUNDER SUFFER FIRST HOME DEFEAT

Glens Falls NY - The Adirondack Thunder finally fell on home ice as they suffered a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Norfolk Admirals on Friday evening at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Tonight’s scoring opened early in the second period when winger Jonathan Lessard netted his third goal of the season for the Admirals just over a minute into the middle stanza. Lessard shot a laser through two Adirondack defenders as Adirondack netminder Ken Appleby was taken out of the play in front.

Halfway through the second period, the Thunder tied things up with a goal from Jeff Silengo, his fifth in five games this season. Forward Mads Eller passed the puck across to Silengo at the top of the righthand circle, where the University of New Hampshire graduate let go a wrist shot, that went through the five hole of Norfolk goalie Adam Coucheraine, aided by a Dana Fraser screen in front.

With five minutes left in the period, the Admirals answered on a tap-in goal by Michael Pelech, to push the score to 2-1. Defenseman Jordan Hill intercepted the puck in the neutral zone and took off on a two on one and dished it off to Pelech, who scored on Appleby’s blocker side. The goal for Pelech was his fourth of the season as Norfolk took a one-goal lead to the locker room.

The Admirals increased their lead just 33 seconds into the third period when center Alexis Loiseau beat Appleby in his return to the Admirals. Scott Allen led Loiseau on breakaway pass into the attacking zone and the forward put a shot blocker side high, out of the reach of Appleby. Loiseau’s goal, his third of the season, marked the first time this season the Thunder have allowed more than two goals on home ice this season.

Less than two minutes after the Loiseau goal, Allen netted his first of the night, off of a Loiseau assist. Allen carried the puck down the right wing and threw the puck across the slot, where it bounced off a Thunder defenseman’s skate and into the back of the net. The goal for Allen, his fifth of the season, made it 4-1 in favor of the visitors 2:01 into the final period.

Midway through the third period the Admirals made it 5-1 off a Radislav Illo goal. After Mitchell Heard rang a shot off the post at one end, the forward received a pass from winger Alexandre Ranger and MacNeil collected the puck at the opposite end of the ice and put it home for the goal. . After the goal, Coach MacLean pulled Appleby in place of backup Drew Fielding. Norfolk added a sixth courtesy of Tommy Mele for the final score of 6-1.

The Thunder are back at the Civic Center tomorrow as they welcome their division rival, the Manchester Monarchs, for the first of a back-to-back. Saturday’s game is Military Appreciation Night, sponsored by UA Local 733. The Thunder will wear specialty camo jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to Wounded Warriors. Tickets, including a special Military four-pack, consisting of four tickets for $50, are still available by calling 518-480-3355 x11 or by visiting echlthunder.com.

Don’t miss out on the speed, skill, strength and sounds of Thunder hockey with a partial season flex or mini ticket plan today. The Adirondack Thunder and O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub Holiday Pack is on sale now, consisting of four tickets, an inaugural season Thunder hat and a $10 gift card to O’Toole’s, an $80 value for just $60. Send a jolt into your holidays with the gift of Adirondack Thunder hockey. For more information on all Thunder ticket plans, call 518-480-3355 x1 or visit echlthunder.com

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