1/2 Game Report

Saturday, Jan 2nd Game Report

Thunder skated to a 1-1 tie with Williamsville East before a sparse crowd at Lakeshore on Saturday afternoon. SThunder forward Keenan Mahoney saw his first varsity shift nine minutes in, but unfortunately he got 9 minutes in the box for a check from behind. Save a clock failure and a few brilliant saves by A-Sim, the first frame was relatively uneventful, as Greece spotted Willie a 10-7 shot margin.

Thunder drew first blood early in the second stanza, when Andrew Sherry crashed the net and banged home the rebound that kicked out from a shot by Matt Keough, assisted by Dan Vyverberg. Phil Amo, Jonathan Clark and Jared Tam-Grimshaw each got a taste on the blueline while sophomore forward Curran O'Brien laid on the heavy forecheck to generate a couple of quality scoring chances. Tyler Grimshaw went deep on a shorthanded rush, sliding one across the paint and nearly connecting with Cheese as well. These setups were among many that came close to fruition throughout the balance of the second period.

Going into the third, Thunder showed some desperation with Mike Briganti stacking the shins to block a shot at the point and Mike McNeil adding a block of his own. Nice to see some new pledges rushing the Harry Shaw Society. Stripes missed a goal on each end so no harm no foul there, but Willie got the equalizer 3 minutes into the third with a screen shot from the high slot. Cheese responded with the TB Gordita Crunch of the game when he steamrolled his check along the far boards. Despite going on the powerplay for the final buck ten of regulation and carrying a 20 second advantage into the extra period, Thunder could not manage to git-R-Dun. They did, however, hold on for the tie to snap a 3-game slide, and remain undefeated in the new year, as their record advances to 2-4-1.

First star of the game goes to Andrew Simonelli with 26 saves and a strong stick, second star goes to Willie's Tyler Mikulee with 25 saves, third star goes to stalwart senior defenseman Steve Hebberect, who had an outstanding game, playing physical on the backend, stepping up in the neutral zone, and getting involved offensively as well... says Geller, "Hebs is back in State Championship form!"

Thunder will host Hilton for a nitecap, 7:30pm @ Lakeshore on Tuesday 5-Jan. Be there as things heat up or be left out in the cold wondering what's up!