Columbus, GA – The rivalry between these two teams, although very young, has quickly become maybe the most intense. Some of the other teams have created some of their own, but this is becoming a league known for rivalry. This is the ninth meeting between these two teams for the year with three more following this game.
The game was very technical with a scoreless game for more than half of the first period. The thunderbirds were the first to score a goal with Rowe hitting one in at the 13:14 minute mark. The amazing thing is there wasn’t a single penalty in that entire period without a single penalty called.
The first period started looking like the first period with stick and passing work. The dragons’ Aldworth would knock one into the net at the 8:38 mark. The first penalty came from a player from each team getting a roughing call at the 11:40 mark in the second period. The only other action was a player got boarded at the 17:58 mark.
Tied up coming into the third period, the game could be decided depending on what the teams planned. The thunderbirds would score at the 6:01 mark with the credit going to Pestuka. The dragons would respond with Storjohann knocking in a goal at the 7:40 mark. The next 12 minutes could have huge implications of who would get the number one and two seed for the playoffs. The score remained tied when regulation would come to a close.
Overtime battle was very tense as both teams had good defense and offense plays. Either team could have scored and won, but the goalies were locked in to stop all chances. Shootout would come into play with the end of overtime with no score change. Thunderbirds would have the first chance and would be stopped by a pad. Dragons would have the same effect during their shot. Thunderbirds would miss the goal wide. Kelly from the dragons would get one past the goalie. Thunderbirds would need to make this goal for a chance to win. Unfortunately, thunderbirds would be stopped by the goalie to give the dragons the victory for the night.
The next three games for the dragons would all be against the thunderbirds. They will have a home game Saturday, and the series next weekend is an away and home game. These next three games will determine the higher seed and the division champion.
The third star of the game went to Aldworth.
The second star of the game went to Storjohann.
The first star of the game went to Kelly.
PHOTO CREDIT – Toni.Hill@prohockeynews.com
 
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