Thunder pound away on Beast

GLENS FALLS, NY – The Adirondack Thunder secured their third straight victory with a 7-4 decision over the Brampton Beast in front of a crowd of 3,505 at Cool Insuring Arena on Saturday night. Matt Salhany (2 goals, 1 assist) and Mike Szmatula (1 goal, 2 assists) each recorded three point nights in the Thunder’s eight home win of the season.

In a similar fashion to last night, it was the Brampton Beast lighting the lamp first. This time it was Matt McLeod just 33 seconds into the game on the Beast’s first shot. It took a powerplay for the Thunder in order to tie it up. Salhany jammed home a puck in the crease for his 13th of the year at 4:10. Szmatula and Colby Sissons added the helpers.

The bounces continued to go the Thunder’s way as Casey Pierro-Zabotel banked the puck off of the right leg of Beast netminder Alex Dubeau to give Adirondack a 2-1 edge. Pierro-Zabotel’s 19th of the season was assisted by Jake Linhart and James Phelan at 11:58. Brampton took just 24 seconds to find the equalizer, David Pacan redirected a Trent Bourque to make it 2-2.

Adirondack was awarded another man-advantage when Bourque was whistled for tripping at 13:02. Sissons found Charlie Curti at the far circle for a one-timer to regain the lead for the Thunder at 14:53. Szmatula was awarded the secondary assist.

Brampton scored a power play goal just 40 seconds into the second period as TJ Melancon netted his sixth of the season. The Beast added another one at 3:10 on a Cam Bakker shot that squeaked through McAdam to tie the game.

Adirondack had the answer to the two Brampton tallies. Tommy Parran roped a pass over to Linhart whose one-timer was tipped by Ryan Walker to give the Thunder a 5-4 advantage heading into the third. Walker’s goal was his fifth of the year and it came at 11:07.

In the third, the Thunder added insurance as John Edwardh led the charge on a breakaway leading Dubeau out of the net. On the poke-check, the puck rolled to Salhany who buried his second of the game top shelf at 11:49. Curti picked up the secondary assist.

Kelly Summers put the cherry on the sundae with an empty-net goal with just 4.7 seconds left to secure Adirondack’s third straight victory.

Adirondack outshot Brampton 43-26 and went 2-for-5 on the power play. The Thunder’s penalty kill went 3-for-4.

Up Next: The Thunder head to Worcester to face the Railers on Sunday, January 26th. Puck drop is set for 3:05 p.m.