Thunderbirds comeback falls short vs. Hat Tricks 3-2

DANBURY, Conn.- The Carolina Thunderbirds, proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, fell 3-2 to the Danbury Hat Tricks at Danbury Arena on Friday night.

“It’s a tough loss,” said head coach Andre Niec after the game.

The Thunderbirds created chances on starter Dillon Kelley during the first ten minutes, but Kelley stopped all 14 shots he faced in the first period.

Matyas Kasek blew a wrister by Jake Mullen on the powerplay to give Danbury a 1-0 lead. Carolina would surrender another goal on the Hat Tricks man-advantage in the second period, making it six goals the penalty kill unit has given up in the past three games.

Carter Shinkaruk scored late in the first as well, his sixth goal in the last three games vs. the Thunderbirds.

Casper Dyrssen, who scored the shootout winner last night, blasted a one-timer over Jake Mullen to make it 3-0 Tricks just 1:02 into the second period.

Carolina fought back though. Konner Haas collected a feed from Joe Cangelosi and buried it cutting across the front of the net on the backhand four minutes into the second.

With just 2:04 to go in the middle period, Daniel Klinecky scored on the backhand, squeezing a puck through the legs of Kelley and making it a one-goal game.

The Thunderbirds had plenty of chances to tie the game in the third period, including two powerplays, but failed to score. Chad Herron clipped the crossbar on a shot with three minutes to go in the game, but Kelley stonewalled the Thunderbirds, turning away all 18 third period shots.

Carolina will wrap up the regular season series vs. Danbury tomorrow night in Connecticut. Puck drop time is 7:00 p.m.