Elmira, NY – The Mammoth played their best period of the season in the First Period that carried them to a victory over the Delaware Thunder
The Mammoth got things started early, with some traffic out in front Stavros Soilis tapped in a shot past Michael McHale to give the Mammoth an early 1-0 lead. Nick Gullo and Yianni Liarakos got the assist on the power play goal
After a deadlocked next 12 minutes, Tyler Piekarski ripped a shot by the Thunder Netminder for his first ever pro hockey goal at 3:23 to play in the period. Yianni Liarakos and Mo Levac received assists on the goal.
Less than a minute later on the power play it was Parker Moskal who sent a harmless shot on net that worked its way into the cage. McHale was screened in front and the Mammoth took a 3-0 lead. Liarakos received his 3rd assist of the period and Gullo recorded his 2nd.
With under 2 minutes to play Parker Moskal took a harder shot that was tipped in by Tate Leeson and found its way by McHale to extend the Mammoth lead to 4-0. Impressive 1st period of work for the Elmira Mammoth.
On the power play at 16:19 Nick Gullo got in on the scoring to make it a 5-0 Elmira Mammoth lead, Liarakos and Levac received assists on the goal. After this goal the Thunder made a goalie change. Makar Sokolov took over in between the pipes for Delaware.
The Thunder got in on the scoring at 5:27 in the 2nd period. After a loose puck out in front Artur Aloyan scored his 6th goal of the season to make it 5-1.
The Mammoth picked up right where they left off after 40 minutes of play just a minute and 57 seconds into the period Tate Leeson scored his 2nd of the night and made it 6-1 Mammoth, Parker Moskal had the assist on the goal.
To complete the Hat Trick 7 minutes later Leeson made some pretty moves by Sokolov to score his 3rd of the game and make it 7-1.
Parker Moskal wanted a Hat Trick of his own and scored 5 minutes later for his 3rd of the game. Dzmitry Daniluk recorded his 1st assist of the season and the Mammoth had their 8th of the night.
Delaware scored with under two minutes remaining from a tip in goal from John Amanatidis that was thrown on net by John Movalli. That would be the final score of 8-2.
In what was a historic night at First Arena the Mammoth got their first win in franchise history defeating the Delaware Thunder 8-2. They return home Friday night to take on the Danbury Hat Tricks. Tickets are still available at FirstArena.net
by Jacob Johnson