Thunderbirds win OT Thriller over Rock Lobsters

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Twin City Thunderbirds won an overtime thriller over the Athens Rock Lobsters Saturday night at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena by the final score of 4-3. Kayson Gallant netted the overtime game-winning goal with less than three minutes remaining in the overtime to seal the victory for the Thunderbirds. Roman Kraemer netted two goals during regulation time, and Jon Buttitta also added a goal for the Twin City offense. Boris Babik backstopped the team in net, and the Thunderbirds posted two points in the standings with the victory. Twin City will return home to host the Pee Dee IceCats in a showdown at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena on Friday night.

Roman Kraemer gave Twin City the lead with less than seven minutes to play during Saturday’s opening period. Kraemer’s goal was his first of the game, and was assisted by Kayson Gallant and Zach White. The Thunderbirds outshot the Rock Lobsters by a 19-15 margin during the opening period, and carried a 1-0 lead into the 2^nd period.

Eric Neiley netted a powerplay goal for Athens at 7:37 of the 2^nd period to bring the game to a 1-1 tie. Neiley’s goal was assisted by Gus Ford and Carter Shinkaruk. Roman Kraemer gave Twin City another lead in the matchup with his second goal of the game at 13:09 of the middle period. Kraemer’s second goal of the matchup was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Connor Craig and Kayson Gallant. Twin City outshot Athens by a 12-8 margin during the 3^rd period, and the Thunderbirds entered Saturday’s 3^rd period with a 2-1 lead in the battle.

Jon Buttitta gave Twin City a two-goal lead in the matchup ninety-six seconds into the 3^rd period. Buttitta’s goal was assisted by Dominic Dumas and Jan Salak. Athens responded with back-to-back scoring plays to tie the game at 3-3 and to force an overtime finish to the matchup. Jesse Lowell scored an even-strength goal at 9:16 of the period to cut into Twin City’s lead. Devyn Mayea and Carter Shinkaruk each collected an assist on the scoring play. The final goal of regulation time was netted by Carter Shinkaruk with less than six minutes to play. The goal was assisted by Filip Virgili and Gus Ford. Athens outshot Twin City by a 15-14 margin during the 3^rd period.

Kayson Gallant scored a breakaway goal at 2:02 of the overtime to give the Thunderbirds a thrilling 4-3 win in the matchup. Gallant’s game-winning goal was assisted by James Farmer and Jacob Schnapp. Each team posted 3 shots on net during the overtime, and Twin City outshot Athens by a 48-31 margin overall during the battle. Twin City improved to 24-27-1 on the 2025-2026 regular season in the victory.

Boris Babik turned away 28 shots during the matchup, including all 3 during the overtime session to record the victory in goal for Twin City. William Lavalliere recorded the overtime loss in net for the Rock Lobsters in a 44-save-on-48-shot effort. Kayson Gallant was named the 1^st Star of the Game, with teammates Roman Kraemer and Boris Babik earning 2^nd and 3^rd Star honors, respectively.

Saturday’s game was Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Night, and was played in front of 2,606 fans at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena.

The Thunderbirds have two home games remaining in the 2025-2026 regular season. Twin City will return to action on Friday, April 3^rd in a home matchup against the Pee Dee IceCats. The game will serve as the organization’s First Responders Night, and will begin at 7:35pm ET. The Thunderbirds will host the Blue Ridge Bobcats on Friday, April 10^th for Fan Appreciation Night. The battle will be Twin City’s final home game of the regular season, and is also scheduled to begin at 7:35pm ET. Tickets to each of the Thunderbirds two remaining home games at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena are still available, and may be purchased online by visiting WSFairgrounds.com, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena Box Office at (336) 727-2236.