Birds 5 Game Win Streak Halted By River Dragons

WINSTON-SALEM, NC:

A frustrating night both on the scoresheet and the penalty sheet for the Carolina Thunderbirds resulted in a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the archrival Columbus River Dragons.

The sixth meeting between the two bitter rivals, also the last in a season-long six game homestand, was tight checking and full of both sides spending a lengthy amount of time on special teams.

The Thunderbirds league-best penalty kill was tested and rose to the challenge, but 6 power play opportunities were too many for Columbus. The River Dragons 2 power play markers, one in the first period from Austin Daae and another in the third from Jay Croop proved to be a large difference in the outcome.

Josh Pietrantonio's shorthanded goal proved the difference of special teams on the night.

Boris Babik did all he could in goal for the Thunderbirds, stopping 32 of 36 shots.

Josh Koepplinger, Gus Ford and Jan Salak had the tallies for Carolina, whose last minute effort fell just short.

The two teams won't meet again until April. Carolina heads on the road for the first time in a month, beginning with a 3-game stint in Biloxi against the Mississippi Sea Wolves.