Thunderbirds Flip the Script on the Dashers, Win 5-2

Danville, IL –Thunderbirds Flip the Script on the Dashers, Win 5-2

How It Happened

After a 5-2 loss on Saturday night the Thunderbirds hit the ice to play the Danville Dashers in the second game of the weekend series. Greg Hussey would get the nod in net for Danville while it would again be Cary Byron in between the pipes for Carolina.

Much like the previous night’s contest the first period would be an end to end affair, with both teams trading strong scoring chances. There were no penalties and precious few whistles to stop play. The quick period would be broken when Dasher’s captain Justin Levac as he would cut down the near boards and drive his way on net. A forehand-to-backhand move would open up Byron and Levac would slide the puck home to make it 1-0 Dashers after 20 minutes of play.

Momentum would be seized by the Thunderbirds in the second period however, they would come out strong out-skating the Dashers in the early going. Two early power-play opportunities would come up empty for Carolina, but just 1:29 into the period Matt Beer would slap the puck past Hussey to tie the game at 1. Dominik Synek and Josh Pietrantonio would get the assists on the goal. The Dashers would continue to be pinned deep into their zone for the period, and would be out-shot by Carolina 19 to 10 in the period. Two late penalties by the Dashers, one, and elbowing call on Dustin Henning and the other a bench minor on the Dashers would see the Thunderbirds start the 3rd period 5-on-3 for 1:19.

Starting on the 5-on-3 powerplay would be the catalyst for a Thunderbirds’ offensive explosion. It started with a Synek goal scored on the powerplay just 34 seconds into the period. It would be followed 1:37 later when Michael Bunn would score to make it a 3-1 Thunderbirds advantage. And just 20 seconds following that Jay Croop would tap home the puck to make it 4-1 Thunderbirds. The Dashers would make it interesting when Aaron Atwell would score on a shot from the point at 7:47 of the period. But it would be Yuto Osawa who iced the game with a 100 foot empty net goal.

Notable Stats

Three Thunderbirds players all had 2 point nights, Matt Beer, Dominik Synek, and Yuto Osawa all had a goal and an assist.

In his first win with the Thunderbirds, Cary Byron made 31 saves on 33 shots in the win.

Back in Action

The Thunderbirds take on the Watertown Wolves back at home on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 23,24, and 25. Thursday’s and Friday’s games will be at 7:35 pm EST at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. Saturday’s game starts at 6:05 pm EST. All game broadcasts will be on the Thunderbirds Radio Network with the pregame starting 15 minutes before puck drop.