THUNDER SCORE FOUR STRAIGHT IN THIRD TO TOP ROYALS 4-2

GLENS FALLS, NY – The Adirondack Thunder used four unanswered goals, two of the shorthanded variety, in the third period to complete the come-from-behind win over the Reading Royals Friday evening at Cool Insuring Arena.

After Adirondack entered the final period down a pair of goals, Brian Ward got the Thunder on the board with a shorthanded tally just 21 seconds in. James Henry carried the puck along the right boards and sauced a cross-ice pass for a streaking Ward. The Thunder’s all-time leading goal scorer picked the short-side top corner and popped one by Callum Booth to get Adirondack on the board.

On the same penalty kill, Desmond Bergin tied the game at two off another fantastic feed from Henry. The Thunder captain entered the offensive slowly and under control before he found Bergin cutting through the center-slot. Bergin collected the pass and sniped a wrister by Booth to tie the contest at twos.

Fifteen minutes later, ECHL All-Star Mike Szmatula potted the game-winning tally at 17:45 off a beautiful set-up from Matt Salhany. The University of Alabama-Huntsville product entered the attacking zone and slid a deft pass to John Edwardh at the blueline. Edwardh continued the passing display to Szmatula on the left wing when the rookie forward undressed Booth out of position, delayed before netting the bad-angle shot for the first Thunder lead of the night.

Cullen Bradshaw put the game out of reach with an empty-net tally with 68 seconds remaining for the 4-2 final. The score was Bradshaw’s ninth of the season, while Henry picked up his third assist of the game.

Alex Sakellaropoulos was sturdy in net as he collected 17 saves and won for the ninth time in ten starts.

The win was Adirondack’s first of the season when trailing after 20 minutes of play.

Reading jumped out to a 2-0 lead through two periods of play behind goals from Alex Roos and Tyler Bird. Roos’ was of the highlight variety off an impressive no-look feed from Chris McCarthy behind the net midway through the first while Bird got a deflection to redirect in front of Sakellaropoulos 31 seconds into the middle frame.

The Thunder head out on the road for the next seven games starting tomorrow evening in Portland, ME when they take on the Maine Mariners. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. from Cross Insurance Arena. For the latest Thunder news, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ECHLThunder.

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