12/22 Game Report

Tuesday, Dec 22nd Game Report

Back on the bus, it was Brockport or bust. Turns out it was a bust, as Thunder dropped their second road game in a row, losing 5-2 to the Blue Devils at Tuttle Ice Arena Tuesday nite. Greece came in sporting a new look with Pat Sofia making his debut on the bench, Mike Miller back on D, Matt Keough up front, and the lines shook up a bit. Rob Weilert flew north for the holiday (and yes, his arms are tired) and was in the hizzie as well, but not all was well, as Baby Bedford sent Thunder to the box four times in the first frame. B-Port would capitalize, banking 2 goals from their 2-man advantage and subsequent 5-on-4 to win the period with a 13-7 shot margin in their favor. Play was sloppy and choppy with very few passes completed and maybe 1-hit.

Greece gained some momentum in the second, with 10 shots on goal to B-Port's 5, as the Blue Devils took their turn in the box. But Thunder could not solve Keene. Blue Devil's forward Nathan Judd logged his second goal of the nite to make it 3-0 B-Port going into the cut. A minute into the final period Brockport's Dylan Garlock converted on a turnover to widen their lead to 4-0. Then the tide turned, as Mike Briganti notched Thunder's first goal, on the PP, with a low and hard wrister through a screen, assisted by Vyper and Sherry. Back on the powerplay 5 minutes later, Vyper took the handle from Hebberect, tore down the left wing, and hit Mike McNeil in the high slot for the money shot to cut the Blue Devil's lead in half, 4-2 with two and a half to go. Thunder made a valiant effort down the stretch with the extra attacker out only to give up the empty netter to Nathan Judd with 37 seconds left on the clock.

Thunder slips to 2-3 with the loss and many lessons learned. First star goes to B-Port's Nathan Judd with the hat, second star goes to B-Port's Justin Keene with 29 saves, third star goes to B-Port's Dylan Garlock with a goal and 2 assists. Let's hope Santa gave Thunder their mojo back in their stockings!