OT-winner washed out in shootout loss

WATERTOWN, N.Y.- The Carolina Thunderbirds, proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, fell to Watertown Wolves 2-1 in the shootout on Friday night in New York.

“It’s hard to be upset, we played well, we just didn’t score,” said Andre Niec after the game.

The two teams played 42:57 of scoreless hockey until Dallas Desjarlais scored on the Wolves’ second powerplay of the game to put the Wolves up.

Gleb Krivoshapkin answered 5:35 into the third to tie the game. It’s Krivoshapkin’s second goal as a Thunderbird.

After Carolina pelted Jeremy Pominville with 65 shots through regulation, the two teams headed for overtime.

Jiri Pargac put the puck in the net on a breakaway 2:56 into the overtime period, but the goal was dubiously waved off.

“The official said to me that he didn’t see it go in,” remarked Niec.

“I scored, the puck crossed the line, I saw it,” said Pargac, “I don’t know why it could have been no goal.”

“I just didn’t see it,” said referee Jordan Kraabel in the hallway after the game, “the game goes so fast now and [Pargac] was right in front of me and I just didn’t see it.”

Without consultation to the rest of the officiating crew, overtime resumed and ended with the two teams tied 1-1.

Viktor Grebennikov scored on his first shootout try of the year, but so would Joe Deveny, Dominik Bogdziul and Kyle Powell. Pominville turned out the final three shootout attempts to earn the bonus point in the breakaway contest.

Carolina adds to their league-leading point total, now at 98. Watertown advances to 22-17-3-2 and 74 points.

The two teams play again tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.