Thunder inch closer to playoffs
Successful weekend has Adirondack 3 points out of 1st place
GLENS FALLS >> The Thunder are back in the driver’s seat, headed toward an ECHL playoff berth, after defeating the Atlanta Gladiators, 6-1, on Sunday.
It was a dramatic finish to a threegame weekend that started out looking like a shipwreck, but ended with Adirondack cruising full speed ahead, just three points out first place.
More importantly, the Thunder have a solid six-point lead over Wheeling for the North Division’s final postseason berth with nine games left in the regular season. Adirondack can take sole possession of second place Tuesday night (7 p.m.) against the Orlando Solar Bears to close out a six-game homestand.
“The character’s showing through,” said Thunder captain Peter MacArthur, of Clifton Park. “That’s what we want at this time of year.”
Sunday’s win was especially sweet for MacArthur who was playing in his 500th career game as a pro. Forty family members and friends turned out for the occasion, including a special on-ice ceremony after the first intermission where Adirondack’s front office presented him with a framed jersey with “500” on back.
“It means a lot,” MacArthur said. “The only thing I love more than hockey are my friends and family. It’s a blessing to be here. It’s good, it’s professional. You have pride in it. You come and you know we’re going to get to work, we’re going to accomplish something and become better people and players. That’s what you’re looking for as an athlete. I can’t say enough about this organization.”
After losing, 5-2, in a subpar effort on Friday and falling behind 3-0 early the next night, the Thunder stormed back with four third-
period goals en route to a 5-4 overtime victory on Saturday. Both games were against Wheeling.
MacArthur sparked the turnaround by scoring Adirondack’s first goal of the second game, ultimately leading to a crucial Thunder victory.
They carried that momentum into Sunday’s contest, dominating Atlanta from start to finish.
The game was marred by 156 penalty minutes including six game misconducts, four against the Gladiators. Atlanta goaltender Matt Ginn got tossed with 4:03 left to play for a rare “abuse of officials” penalty.
At one point, the Gladiators only had seven players on the bench.
Conor Riley, normally a defenseman, started at forward for the second straight night and scored what proved to be the gamewinner for Adirondack. It was his second goal in two games as he scored the tying marker in the Thunder’s third-period comeback against Wheeling on Saturday.
“Coach actually called me before yesterday’s (Saturday) game and said, You’re going to be playing forward tonight,” Riley said.
“It’s kind of a nice change. I’ve moved up and back a few times throughout my career.
At forward, you can just skate and play the body, On defense there’s a lot of high-pressure situations, whereas at forward you have a little more time, you can make a little more happen. So it’s definitely fun. It’s been going good.”