THUNDER EARN POINT BUT TAKE FIRST LOSS OF SEASON IN 4-3 OVERTIME DEFEAT

Manchester, NH - The Adirondack Thunder suffered their first defeat of the season as they dropped a 4-3 overtime tilt to the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday evening in front of 3,923 fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

For the first time this season against Adirondack, it was Manchester that opened the scoring with 1:46 left in the first period. Justin Gutierrez began the rush as he connected with teammate Matt Leitner on a cross-ice pass. With Leitner and Alex Guptill leading the rush, Leiter dished the puck to Guptill, who slotted a wrist shot past Adirondack goaltender Mason McDonald. The tally was the second goal of the season for Guptill.

The Thunder got on the board early in the second period as defenseman Mathieu Brodeur fired a shot from the point that deflected off of a Manchester stick and through goaltender Colin Stevens' legs for the tally. Captain Peter MacArthur hit Brodeur with a cross-ice feed and the big defenseman sent his wrist shot towards the net with the redirection taking care of the rest. The tally was the first of the season for Brodeur and his third point in three games.

Adirondack took the lead for the first time in the game just minutes later as defenseman Alex Wall hit Brett Pollock at the back post for the tap-in goal. With Wall positioned at the right point the defenseman sent a seeing-eye pass through the Manchester defense that found a streaking Pollock for the goal, the first of his Thunder career. Wall's helper was his third in three games, while defenseman Stepan Falkovsky had the secondary assist on the play, his first career professional point.

The Monarchs netted two goals in the final three minutes of play in the second period as Joe Pendenza scored twice to give his team a 3-2 lead entering the third period. At the 17:03 mark of the middle stanza, Pendenza tipped a pass from Justin Agosta that trickled made its way past McDonald for the goal. With just 10 seconds remaining in the second period, Pendenza struck again as he took a feed from Agosta, moved to his forehand, and beat McDonald to give his team a lead heading into the locker room.

With 3:46 expired in the final period of regulation, the Thunder tied the score for the second time tonight, as forward Brian Ward converted on a breakaway for his second goal of the season. The St. Lawrence graduate took a stretch pass from winger Ty Loney, went in alone on Stevens and slotted home on the forehand to tie the game at three. The tally for Ward was his second in three games against Manchester, while the assist for Loney gives him four points in three games this season.

As the game looked destined for a shootout, Manchester ended the game with just 3.8 seconds left to claim their first victory over the Thunder this season. After a shot from the left from Pendenza forced a stick save from McDonald, winger Matt Leitner followed up and forced the rebound over the goal line for his second tally of the season. Pendenza’s point was his third of the night, while forward Justin Gutierrez collected the secondary assist on the play, his second point of the game.

The Thunder return to home ice on Tuesday, October 25 as they take on the Elmira Jackals with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. Full and half season ticket packages, as well as flex packs are available now for the 2016-17 season at just $13 per seat, a savings of 34% off of 2015-16 pricing. Call 518-480-3355 x1 to customize a plan and reserve your season ticket locations today.

###

Adirondack Thunder Hockey – This Is Our Team