Two Home Games Added, Strong Start to the Road Trip; Thunderbirds Weekly Update

Winston-Salem, NC – Two Home Games Added, Strong Start to the Road Trip; Thunderbirds Weekly Update 

What’s New

Over the weekend the Carolina Thunderbirds travelled to Port Huron Michigan to take on the Prowlers in a three-game set. Early pressure from the Prowlers would lead to an offensive explosion as Carolina would drop the first game by a score of 10-3. As they have done on all but one road trip this season, the Thunderbirds would bounce back in the second game. Once again, the prowlers would take an early lead, but a late 3rd period goal by Josh Pietrantionio would tie the game at 5 and send it to overtime. During the extra frame it would be Jiri Pestuka scoring to give the Thunderbirds their first overtime win of the season, 6-5. Sunday’s game would wrap up the series, and it would be a dominant performance by Carolina as they would win 5-1 behind netminder Kelly Curl. A goal by Pietrantonio 30 seconds into the first period, followed by a score from Jan Salak would put the Thunderbirds ahead and they would not look back. In that game Salak’s goal would be the game-winner, his 3rd of the season, tying him for most in the league with Port Huron’s Matt Robertson. In addition, Tom Kilgore would score short-handed, his 2nd of the season, which moves him into a three-way tie for 1st place with the Prowlers Dustin Jesseau and the Danville Dashers Shayne Morrissey.

What’s Coming Up

The Carolina Thunderbirds Coaches Show continues Tuesday the 5th from 6-7 pm and will feature the captain of the Thunderbirds Justin Blaszak. You can hear the coaches show on WTOB, “The Big 980” on 980 am and 96.3 fm in Winston-Salem, the flagship station of the Thunderbirds Radio network.

Because of a scheduling conflict the Thunderbirds have added two more home dates on December the 22nd and 23rd against the North Shore Knights. Friday the 22nd the puck will drop at 7:35 pm EST, with doors opening at 6:35 pm. On Saturday, the 23rd, it will be a 6:05 pm EST puck drop.

Current Thunderbirds FULL season ticket holders will receive their seats at no additional cost, the tickets will need to be picked up at the VIP entrance on the day of the game. Those with 14 or 7 game ticket packages may purchase tickets at a discounted price. As these games are not typical Thunderbirds home games for this limited event all tickets will be $10 with reserved seating. Tickets will go on sale on December 5th, contact the box office at 336-774-8880 to reserve yours today.

If you have a group you would like to bring out for a holiday party or other event please contact the Thunderbirds at 336-77-GOAL(4625) for special group rates for that weekend’s games.

What’s Next

This weekend the Thunderbirds will travel to Watertown, NY, to play the Wolves. Saturday and Sunday December 9 and 10. The Thunderbirds are winless on the road in Watertown, with just one point earned in an overtime loss on November 10th. Watertown however has dropped the last 3 games to Carolina, losing the series in North Carolina over Thanksgiving weekend. Saturday’s game will start at 7:05 pm EST on the Thunderbirds Radio Network, and Sunday’s game is a 4:35 pm EST start time. This series is between the only two teams remaining in the Federal Hockey League who have yet to lose at home this regular season.

League Standings

(wins-overtime wins- losses- overtime losses, points, winning percentage)

1 – Danville: 9-0-3-0, 27 points, .750%

2 – CAROLINA: 8-1-4-1, 27 points, .643%

3 –Cornwall: 5-0-2-2, 17 points, .630%

4 – Port Huron: 5-0-5-1, 16 points, .485%

5 – Watertown: 3-3-6-0, 15 points, .417%

6 – North Shore: 1-0-11-0, 3 points, .083%

Please note that per Federal Hockey League Rules the standings are decided by winning percentage. Tie breakers are decided by points, followed by wins, followed by head-to-head record, followed by goal differential. In the FHL you are awarded 3 points per win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime loss, and no points for a regulation loss.