Thunderbirds Fall In Shootout In Home Regular Season Finale

WINSTON-SALEM, NC-

The Carolina Thunderbirds gave everything they had with a chance to clinch the Continental Division crown. They came up just barely short. 

Before a sellout crowd at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex, the Thunderbirds powered 58 shots on goal, to the River Dragons' 40, but Columbus's Brendan Colgan was ultimately the difference.

Petr Panacek netted two goals, both tying the game in both the first and third periods. Josh Koepplinger added a marker as well. 

Columbus got scoring from Alex Storjohann, Alexander Jmaeff and Kyle Moore.

Both squads traded chances and both goaltenders traded epic saves in overtime. Jacob Kelly scored the game winner in the shootout.

Carolina and Columbus each picked up a point, with the River Dragons earning an important second point to tie the Thunderbirds atop the division.

It will be a winner-take-all game for the Continental Division crown tomorrow night in Columbus. Puck drop is set for 7:35.