THUNDER FALTER LATE ON TEDDY BEAR TOSS NIGHT

GLENS FALLS, NY – Mike Szmatula scored his 11th goal of the season but the Thunder could only come up with one point in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Manchester Monarchs Saturday night at Cool Insuring Arena.

Szmatula scored the game’s only goal of the first 55-plus minutes to let the teddy bears rain down on the ice midway through the first period. John Edwardh brought the puck into the offensive zone and tossed a shot on net from the left wing. Szmatula was in front to jam home the rebound by Chris Driedger to give Adirondack a 1-0 lead.

That score stayed until the 16:38 mark of the third period when Joe Pendenza tied the game converting on a 2-on-1 rush. Pavel Jenys led the rush down the right wing and centered a backhand pass to Pendenza who rushed back-door to beat Alex Sakellaropoulos and tie the game at one.

Daniil Miromanov ended the game a little more than halfway through the overtime session when he ripped a wrist-shot over the outstretched glove of Sakellaropoulos for a 2-1 Manchester win.

Sakellaropoulos made 31 saves in net for Adirondack while Driedger turned away 37 of 38. For the first time this season for Adirondack, a penalty was not called in the game.

Adirondack is off until Friday night when the team travels to Worcester to take on the Railers. The Thunder will return home Saturday night to host the Brampton Beast. For the latest Thunder news, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ECHLThunder.

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