THUNDER SINKS MARINERS 6-3 IN REGULAR SEASON OPENER

Portland, ME  – John Edwardh recorded two goals and two assists and 10 different Thunder skaters recorded a point as Adirondack topped Maine 6-3 in the Thunder’s regular season opener Saturday night in Portland.

It took Brian Ward just 62 seconds to get the Thunder on the board for the 2018-2019 season. Adirondack’s all-time leading goal scorer took a drop pass from Edwardh at the attacking a blue line, took a few strides into the offensive zone and roofed a wrist shot past Maine goalie Brandon Halverson. Desmond Bergin picked up the additional assist for the Thunder.

Bergin took the scoring into his own hands when he doubled the Thunder advantage just over five minutes in as his shot from the point skated by Halverson. The defenseman took a pass off the boards from newly named Thunder captain James Henry and floated a wrist shot that found the back of the net while Conor Riley and Cullen Bradshaw screened in front.

John Edwardh added to the Thunder lead when he potted his first professional goal before the halfway mark of the first period. While on the man advantage, Peter MacArthur slid a pass from the side wall to Edwardh sitting alone in front of the net where he one-timed a shot into the top right corner of the net. Rookie defenseman Jake Linhart recorded the secondary assist, his first professional point. 

Jason Salvaggio answered back for Maine just over a minute later with the franchise’s first ECHL goal to make it a 3-1 game. On a power play of their own, Scott Savage went found Salvaggio at the top of the left faceoff circle where he one-timed a slap-shot past Thunder netminder Colton Phinney. 

The second period started fast with three goals in a two minute span – the first by former Thunder defenseman Ryan Culkin. After a failed attempt for the Thunder to clear on the penalty kill, the puck ended up with Drew Melanson who shifted it over to Culkin for a power-play goal and a 3-2 game.

The Thunder answered right away with back-to-back goals from Conor Riley and Edwardh’s second of the night. First, 35 seconds after Culkin’s goal, Riley slammed home a rebound on an original shot that hit off the crossbar from Jordan McNaughton, the rookie defenseman’s first professional point in North America. Edwardh added the Thunder’s fifth score when he converted on a 2-on-0 rush with Ward. The Thunder’s alternate captain skated down the left wing and centered a pass that Edwardh backhanded top-shelf for his second goal and third point of the night.

The two teams traded goals the rest of the game as Alex Kile and Shane Conacher both recorded their first tallies of the season. After Conacher led the team in scoring last season, he finished it off tonight with a one-timer from Peter MacArthur late in the third period.

Phinney stopped 26 shots to record his first win with the Thunder.Adirondack travels to Newfoundland for its next pair of games as they take on the Growlers Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Then they will return home for the home opener next Saturday night, October 20, against the Brampton Beast. Get your tickets for the game with the Stewart’s Four Pack. For all the latest Thunder news, follow the team on Facebook and Twitter.

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