Murdaca Shines as Thunder Fall in Shootout for Second Straight Game

GLENS FALLS, NY –  For the second straight game, he Adirondack Thunder tied the game late in the third period but fell in a shootout to the Maine Mariners by a final score of 4-3. Joe Murdaca made 28 saves in his second career ECHL start. It took only 6:27 for the first goal to be scored and it belonged to the Adirondack Thunder. Casey Pierro-Zabotel forced a turnover at center ice right to James Henry. Henry entered the offensive zone and dropped the puck right to Pierro-Zabotel. He wound up a slapper past Mariners' netminder Francois Brassard for his 12th of the season. The Thunder added to their lead at 11:36 when Alex Tonge caught up to the puck in the right corner of the offensive zone and fed Matt Salhany at the near circle. Salhany waited and fed it right to Mike Szmatula for his 10th of the season. The Mariners tied the game with two goals in the second period. Zach Tolkinen notched his fourth of the season 4:46 into the period. Maine's equalizer came at 10:44 as Dillan Fox sped his way into the offensive zone and beat Thunder netminder Joe Murdaca for his 11th of the year. Maine received a powerplay early in the third period as James Henry was called for tripping. With just two seconds left on the man-advantage, Terrence Wallin poked the puck in from his stomach as he was on the ice next to the net. Moments after Adirondack pulled Murdaca for the extra attacker, Casey Pierro-Zabotel knocked in the rebound from an Alex Carrier shot for his second of the game to tie the game with 1:10 left in the third. For the second straight night, the game went to overtime. Each team had a powerplay opportunity but couldn't cash in. After the seven-minute session, it was time for another shootout. Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored the lone goal for the Thunder but goals by Michael McNicholas and Taylor Cammarata extended the winless streak to nine straight games.The Thunder were blanked on their four powerplay chances while the Mariners went 1-for-4. The Thunder outshot the Mariners 41-31. Up NextThe Thunder hit the road to take on the Mariners this Thursday at 7pm in Portland, Maine. Follow the ThunderFor more information on the Adirondack Thunder, follow along on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@ECHLThunder) and on the web at ECHLThunder.com.

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