WORCESTER, MA – John Edwardh scored a power-play goal in the second period but the Thunder could not overcome four first-period tallies from the Railers in a 5-1 loss to Worcester on Saturday night.
The Railers scored a quartet of goals – one each by Ryan Hitchcock, Yannick Turcotte, Barry Almeida and Woody Hudson – all in the opening half of the first period that chased Thunder goalie Evan Cormier from the net.
Edwardh scored the Thunder’s only goal of the night on a power-play tally at 8:59 of the middle frame. The Adirondack power-play unit played catch around the outskirts of the Worcester zone defense when Desmond Bergin fed Matias Cleland at the center point. Cleland slid his pass to Edwardh at the left wing where he took his time before ripping a wrist-shot in the top corner past Mitch Gillam to get the Thunder on the board.
Hitchcock added his second of the night midway through the third period on a hustle play behind the net. The Railers forward forced the puck from the Adirondack defense, circled in front of the net and roofed a quick backhand for the 5-1 final score.
Alex Sakellaropoulos made 23 saves in 51-plus minutes of action after entering the game for the Thunder.
Adirondack wraps up its first three-in-three set of the season tomorrow afternoon against the Maine Mariners. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, ME.
###Adirondack Thunder Hockey – This Is Our Team
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers