Thunder push series to Game 7 with OT win over Mariners

PORTLAND – Tag Bertuzzi scored late to force extra time and Jeremy Hanzel scored 12:12 into overtime as the Adirondack Thunder forced a Game 7 with a 2-1 victory over the Maine Mariners in Game 6 on Tuesday night at Cross Insurance Arena.

THUNDER FORCE GAME 7 WITH 2-1 OT WIN OVER MARINERS

After no scoring in the first period, the Mariners converted on the power play to take the lead. Max Andreev threw the puck to the net from a low angle, and the rebound went to Jacob Hudson for a tap in to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. The goal was Hudson’s fifth of the series at the 5:49 mark with assists from Andreev and Owen Gallatin. The Thunder trailed 1-0 after 40 minutes.

Adirondack needed to score in the third period to keep the season alive and Tag Bertuzzi did that. With the net empty late in regulation, Bertuzzi took a pass from Ryan Wheeler and fired a shot from the right circle that beat goaltender Luke Cavallin. The goal was Bertuzzi’s second of the playoffs from Wheeler and Jeremy Hanzel with 1:23 left to force overtime.

In overtime, Jeremy Hanzel took the puck in the left circle and fired a shot that beat Luke Cavallin to his left to force a Game 7 tomorrow night. The goal was Hanzel’s first of the playoffs and came at the 12:12 mark of overtime with assists from Tag Bertuzzi and Alex Campbell.

The Adirondack Thunder will visit the Maine Mariners tomorrow night for Game 7 at 7 p.m.

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