THUNDER DROP SATURDAY NIGHT TILT 2-1 TO READING

GLENS FALLS, NY – Blake Thompson scored his first goal of the season and Cam Johnson turned away 32 of 34 shots, but the Thunder could not solve Nick Niedert in a 2-1 loss Saturday night at Cool Insuring Arena. 

Thompson scored the game’s opening goal just before the halfway mark of the opening period. After Cullen Bradshaw won an offensive zone draw, Thompson collected the puck and fluttered a shot from the left point that Niedert couldn’t see with three Royals in front of him. It was Thompson’s first ECHL goal away from SNHU Arena in Manchester to put Adirondack up 1-0.

That was all the offense the Thunder would muster.

Steven Swavely tied the game before the end of the initial frame with a power-play goal, his ninth score of the season. Reading won an offensive zone faceoff and Steve Johnson took a shot off the draw. Adirondack’s Cam Johnson made the first save, but Swavely was sitting on the doorstep to knock in the rebound for a 1-1 tie. 

The game’s only other goal came 2:16 into the third period when Jack Riley netted his fourth off a weird scramble in front. Reading’s Adam Marsh chopped at the puck along the blueline, skying it in the air. While everyone was searching for the loose puck, it ended up on Riley’s stick and he spun and fired from the left circle for a 2-1 lead that would hold the rest of the game.

Niedert was the story of the game tonight as the EBUG made 38 saves in his first ECHL action since 2016. The 36-year-old started just two games last year with the Federal Hockey League’s Carolina Thunderbirds.

Johnson was every bit his equal in net, making some tremendous saves including taking away a sure goal from Reading just after Riley had scored.

Adirondack is off this week but returns to action for two games next weekend. The Thunder head to Manchester, NH to take on the Monarchs Friday night and are back at Cool Insuring Arena next Saturday for a rematch with the Royals. For the latest Thunder news, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@ECHLThunder). 

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