Thunderbirds Score a Touchdown on Thanksgiving, Down Wolves 7-1

Winston-Salem, NC – Thunderbirds Score a Touchdown on Thanksgiving, Down Wolves 7-1.

How It Happened

After a two-week stint on the road the Thunderbirds returned home Thanksgiving to start a 3-game set against the Watertown Wolves.

The Thunderbirds would jump on the Wolves early in the period, dictating the pace of play. At 5:58 of the period Thunderbirds Jan Salak would be dragged down by Stephen Gallo of the Wolves, but from one knee would manage to score, beating Matt Kaludis. Michael Bunn and and Justin Blaszak would get assists on the goal. 8 minutes after it would be an odd man rush for Carolina, one of many in the period. Tom Kilgore, skating on the far wing would wire a shot over the shoulder of Kaludis to make it 2-0 Carolina, Seth Gustin and Jay Croop would get assists on the goal. Just 40 seconds after, Josh Pietrantonio and Dominik Synek would come in on another odd man rush, Pietrantonio would wrap the puck around the net and in past Kaludis. Synek and Salak would assist on the goal, giving Salak his 2nd point of the night. The Thunderbirds would kill off a 2 minute Kilgore hooking penalty, and even add a few short handed chances as well, including a chance for Rick O’Conner right in front of the net that would be sent high of the net.

In the second period the Thunderbirds would continue pounding the Wolves offensively. At 2:54 of the period, Synek would walk the puck out of the near corner, past the Watertown defense and wire a shot past Kaludis. This would end Kaludis’ night, as the Wolves would put Bobby Bowden in net. After a Corey Scott tripping penalty, Vojtech Zemlicka would strike, firing a shot through Bowden to put Carolina up 5-0. Synek would strike again, at 14:37 of the period, beating Bowden again.

Watertown would start strong in the third period, Cameron Dimmitt would tap home the puck on a net-mouth scramble to cut the Thunderbirds lead to 5 and break up the shutout bid for Byron. The Thunderbirds would strike back quickly when Synek would score to complete the hattrick.

The Thunderbirds would skate out to a 7-1 win over the Wolves on Thanksgiving.

Notable Stats

The line of Salak, Pietrantonio, and Synek combined for 12 points.

Dominik Synek scored a hattrick, the first in team history.

Back in Action

The Thunderbirds take on the Watertown Wolves back at home on Friday and Saturday, November 24 and 25. Friday’s game 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.