Player Movement and a Look Ahead; Thunderbirds Weekly Update

Winston-Salem, NC – Thunderbirds Weekly Update

What’s New

The Thunderbirds split the weekend series against the Watertown Wolves in Watertown, dropping Saturday’s game 4-1, but winning 4-3 in overtime on Sunday. With the win Sunday the Thunderbirds are currently the only team in the Federal Hockey League still undefeated at home.

As well the Thunderbirds are proud to announce that defenseman Vojtech Zemlicka has been loaned to the Mississippi RiverKings of the Southern Professional Hockey League. In 16 games this season with Carolina, Zemlicka has 3 goals, 8 assists, 16 penalty minutes, and a +4 rating.

The Thunderbirds have also signed forward Ian Hoang to a contract. Hoang, who was waived by the Port Huron Prowlers, hails from Orange, California. He stands at 5’8”, 165 pounds, and in 11 games with the Prowlers had a goal, 4 assists, 11 penalty minutes, and was a -2 rating. Hoang will wear the number 18 for the Thunderbirds.

What’s Coming Up

The Carolina Thunderbirds Coaches Show continues Tuesday the 19th from 6-7 pm and will be a special “Hometown Hockey” show, featuring Thunderbirds forwards Michael Bunn and Giovanni Lamanna and goaltender Kelly Curl. All three players hail from North Carolina You can hear the coaches show on WTOB, “The Big 980” on 980 am and 96.3 fm in Winston-Salem, the flagship station of the Thunderbirds Radio network.

Because of a scheduling conflict the Thunderbirds have added two more home dates on December the 22nd and 23rd against the North Shore Knights. Friday the 22nd the puck will drop at 7:35 pm EST, with doors opening at 6:35 pm. On Saturday, the 23rd, it will be a 6:05 pm EST puck drop.

Current Thunderbirds FULL season ticket holders will receive their seats at no additional cost, the tickets will need to be picked up at the VIP entrance on the day of the game. Those with 14 or 7 game ticket packages may purchase tickets at a discounted price. As these games are not typical Thunderbirds home games for this limited event all tickets will be $10 with reserved seating. Tickets will go on sale on December 5th, contact the box office at 336-774-8880 to reserve yours today.

If you have a group you would like to bring out for a holiday party or other event please contact the Thunderbirds at 336-77-GOAL(4625) for special group rates for that weekend’s games.

What’s Next

This weekend the Thunderbirds will travel back to Danville, Illinois to take on the Dashers. The two teams will play Saturday and Sunday, December 16th and 17th at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville. Saturday’s game is a 8:00 pm EST puck drop, and fans can hear the action on the Thunderbirds Radio Network starting with the Honda of Winston-Salem Pregame Show at 7:35 pm EST. Sunday’s game is a 6:00 pm EST start, with the pregame beginning at 5:35 pm EST. Remember you can hear all Thunderbirds home and road games on WTOB 980 am and 96.3 fm in Winston-Salem and WAME 550 am and 92.9 fm in Statesville.

League Standings

(wins-overtime wins- losses- overtime losses, points, winning percentage)

1 – Cornwall: 7-0-2-2, 23 points, .697%

2 – CAROLINA: 9-2-5-1, 29 points, .604%

3 –Danville: 9-0-6-0, 27 points, .600%

4 – Port Huron: 7-0-5-1, 22 points, .564%

5 – Watertown: 4-3-6-1, 19 points, .452%

6 – North Shore: 1-0-12-0, 3 points, .077%

Please note that per Federal Hockey League Rules the standings are decided by winning percentage. Tie breakers are decided by points, followed by wins, followed by head-to-head record, followed by goal differential. In the FHL you are awarded 3 points per win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime loss, and no points for a regulation loss.