WOLFES LATE WINNER GIVES THUNDER 3-2 WIN IN GAME 1

Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Thunder earned their first playoff win in franchise history as Greg Wolfe’s goal with just 1:33 to play sent them past the Manchester Monarchs in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series.

The visitors opened the scoring just 43 seconds into the game as Wolfe and Michael Kirkpatrick combined on a nice passing play for the first goal of the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs. After a turnover in the neutral zone, Wolfe came down the right wing and hit a wide open Kirkpatrick cutting through the slot, where the Thunder center moved to his forehand and beat Manchester netminder Doug Carr for the goal. Kirkpatrick’s tally was his first of the postseason while Wolfe and Mathieu Brodeur picked up the assists on the play.

Adirondack doubled its advantage with just 2:26 remaining in the second period as they converted for the first time on the man advantage. After the Thunder moved the puck in the offensive zone, Peter MacArthur sent a spinning backhanded pass across the crease to Wolfe, who one-timed it home for the goal, his second point of the evening. MacArthur and Ryan Constant collected the helpers on the play, the first point of the postseason for both players.

The Monarchs got on the board 4:52 into the third period as they capped off an offensive rush with a tap in goal at the back post. Maxim Kitsyn’s pass was deflected down in front of Adirondack netminder Ken Appleby, but fell directly into the path of forward Mark Anthoine, who swatted it home for the goal. Anthoine’s goal was his first of the playoffs and came off of assists from Kitsyn and center Gasper Kopitar to cut the Thunder advantage to 2-1.

The home side took less than a minute to find an equalizer as Zac Larazza fired past a screened Appleby to even the score at two early in the third period. With just 31 seconds having elapsed after the Anthoine goal, Larazza picked up the puck in the high slot and let a wrist shot go, that got through traffic and into the back of the net for the game-tying goal. Derek Arnold and Danick Paquette collected the assists on the play, the first of the playoffs for both.

The Thunder pulled ahead for good with just 1:33 left in the third period, as Wolfe capitalized for the second time in the game. After the Thunder defended a heavy Manchester attack, Ryan Lomberg led a counter-attack the other way and hit Wolfe with space in front. The Canton, MI native went backhand-to-forehand and beat Carr on the glove side for his second tally and third point of the evening. Lomberg and Kirkpatrick collected the helpers on the play, the second point of the night for Kirkpatrick.

All 2015-16 full and partial season ticket holders and 2016-17 full season ticket holders can get round one of the playoffs at the 2016-17 full season ticket price of $13 per game, not including sales tax or facility fee. All 2015-16 full season ticket holders with Youth, Bronze or Silver packages will be grandfathered for round one at their 2015-16 per game rate. Any 2015-16 or 2016-17 full season ticket holders should visit the Thunder front office (playoff extended hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) or call 518-480-3355 x1 to reserve their playoff location. Group tickets are also on sale now. Any group can get tickets for all three Round One games by visiting the Thunder front office or by calling 518-480-3355 x1.

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