Columbus, GA – The rivalry between these two teams have reached incredible heights throughout the season. The river dragons had held the number one spot in the division till the last weekend of the regular season. This is when the thunderbirds would dethrone the river dragons as the regular season divisional champions. These leads the two teams to playing for the divisional playoff championship this weekend. It is the best of three series with the thunderbirds having the “home ice” advantage.
The most interesting thing about the first period is there were no penalties called. First period would start off with the game being a seesaw of offense between the teams. Each would have their own chances to see the back of the net. The river dragons would strike first with Moore tipping the puck in at the 5:47 mark. The next goal would come from the river dragons with Kelly knocking one in at the 7:02 mark.
There would be a timeout on the ice due to a piece of glass getting knocked loose at the 15:55 minute mark. This would give each team some extra rest and time to discuss the current of the situation. There should be no discredit to the thunderbirds as they had 12 shots on goal versus the river dragons 10 shots on goal at this point.
The period would resume a lot like before the pause. Each team having their own offensive drives with shots on goal. The river dragons would extend their lead with Greco slapping one in from the blue line at the 19:00 mark. With a 3-0 lead, the river dragons would go into the intermission with the momentum.
The second period would start off quick with a river dragon goal with Jmaeff hitting one in at the 0:33 mark. The thunderbirds would swap out their goalies with the river dragons having a 4-0 lead. River dragons would score with Croop sliding one at the 11:46 mark. There would 4-4 play during a penalty, but the river dragons would make a breakaway as time would expire. Labelle would join the breakaway and slap the puck in fresh from the box at the 19:59 mark.
With the physicality picking up throughout the second period, five total penalties were assessed between the two teams. The teams would continue into the third with the forceful play. The thunderbirds would find the back of the net with Panacek scoring a power play goal that the 12:45 mark. At the 15:25 minute mark, there was tripping and a collision into the thunderbirds’ net along with a goal. After some discussion, there was no goal during that interaction.
The game would end with the river dragons winning 6-1. Each team had four power plays, but the thunderbirds were the only ones that were able to capitalize. This puts the river dragons up in the series with the teams traveling to Carolina for the rest of the series.
The third star goes to Storjohann with two assists in the game.
The second star goes to Colgan with 35 saves.
The first star goes to Labelle with one goal and two assists.
PHOTO CREDIT – Toni.Hill@prohockeynews.com
 
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