Thunderbirds Drop Doubleheader Weekend, Remain in Second in Eastern Conference
Mar 14, 2022
ATLANTA (March 13, 2022) – The Halifax Thunderbirds (8-3) kept things close in a busy weekend of doubleheader action, but they ultimately suffered defeats on Friday and Saturday night to the Albany FireWolves (6-7) and Georgia Swarm (6-6).
Friday’s 8-7 loss to the FireWolves was the team’s first loss in regulation at Scotiabank Centre. The Thunderbirds would immediately travel down to Gas South Arena for a road rematch against the Swarm on Saturday, with the home team getting revenge and evening the season series 10-9.
Despite an inconsistent offence both nights, the Thunderbirds scrapped their way back into the thick of things with late goals deep into the fourth quarters to close the differential to just one goal.
On Friday, the Thunderbirds were held scoreless in the first quarter before claiming the lead in the second quarter. But another scoreless frame, this time in third, was a hole too deep for them to climb out of in the first game of their doubleheader weekend.
Joe Resetarits kicked things off in the first quarter with a deceptive shot. In the second quarter, Andrew Kew added a goal of his own, before the Thunderbirds responded with a pair of their own from Austin Shanks and a highlight-reel around-the-world goal from Chris Boushy.
Special teams ruled the next few minutes, as the Thunderbirds were on the power play often. It did not work out immediately, with the FireWolves netting their first shorthanded goal of the game, but a pair of power play goals from Shanks and Cody Jamieson gave the home team their first lead of the game, 4-3. Shanks' hat trick goal gave the Thunderbirds five goals in the second frame. A late extra attacker goal from Jacob Ruest cut the deficit, with halftime seeing the Thunderbirds up 5-4.
The third quarter was another quiet one for the Thunderbirds offence. Resetarits netted his second goal of the game, a tally on the power play. Bookmarking his goal, however, were two shorthanded goals from rookie Charlie Kitchen. The FireWolves were up 7-5 heading into the final quarter.
Reilly O’Connor netted the last FireWolves’ goal of the game in transition, and now up by three goals, the visiting team was ready to kill as much clock as they could the rest of the way.
Another extra attacker goal, this time from Clarke Petterson, was scored with just over two minutes left in regulation. Kyle Jackson got his team within one with a phenomenal loose ball grab and low quick stick into the net. The ensuing face-off went the FireWolves’ way, they burned the final seconds away, and the FireWolves handed the Thunderbirds their second loss of the season, 8-7.
Shanks' four points (3G, 1A) led the Thunderbirds in scoring. Acquired earlier this week, two-time NLL MVP Shawn Evans had three helpers in his first game in purple and orange, and Petterson matched him in points with a goal and two assists. Warren Hill earned the loss on 34 saves, an .810 Sv%.
Resetarits (2G, 2A) and former Thunderbirds player Ryan Benesch (4A) led the FireWolves in scoring, each with four points. Goalie Doug Jamieson made 47 stops, good for an .870 Sv%.
After a long travel night, the Thunderbirds next face the Swarm at Gas South Arena. The Swarm were quick to kick off the scoring, and the two teams traded goals to bring the score to 2-2, with Evans netting his first goal as a Thunderbird off a slick mid-range shot. Fannell gave the Thunderbirds their first lead of the night off the two-man game, but a three-goal run from the Swarm put them up by two. Fannell bookended that run with a falling perpendicular goal late in the shot clock to end the quarter with the Swarm up 5-4.
Jamieson used a great pick from Fannell to fire the ball past Swarm goalie Mike Poulin, tying the game for the last time that night. The Swarm controlled the rest of the quarter, posting another three-goal run. Both teams went to the locker rooms at half with the Swarm still ahead, 8-5.
Only one goal was scored in the third quarter. Lyle Thompson netted his second goal of the game off a screen to widen the lead to 9-5, but defence was the name of the game. Some rough stuff in the final minute meant the Thunderbirds would start the fourth quarter on the power play.
That special teams opportunity allowed the Thunderbirds to break their scoring drought, as Jamieson netted the power play goal from the point. L. Thompson’s hat trick gave the Swarm their tenth and final goal of the game. Boushy stepped up big with back-to-back goals a little over a minute apart, making the score 10-8 with just over ten minutes left in regulation.
Both Hill and Poulin made phenomenal saves down the stretch to keep things close. Finally Petterson was able to score an extra attacker goal on the doorstep with 1:08 min. left in the game. Unfortunately, the Swarm were able to weather the Thunderbirds’ final two pushes, and the Thunderbirds fell 10-9.
Fannell (2G, 3A), Petterson (2G, 3A), and Shanks (5A) all led the team in scoring with five points apiece. Hill finished the night with 26 saves and a .722 Sv% in the low-scoring affair.
The Swarm were led in scoring by 2020 NLL MVP Shayne Jackson with seven points (2G, 5A). L. Thompson and Brendan Bomberry each netted a hat trick. Poulin stopped 42 Thunderbirds’ shots, good for an .824 Sv%.
Despite the two losses in the weekend, the Thunderbirds still sit in second place in the Eastern Conference and control their own destiny. They enjoy a bye weekend in NLL week 17 before another doubleheader weekend, but a decidedly more balanced one than this weekend past.
On Saturday, March 26, they head to KeyBank Center in Buffalo to take on the first place Bandits (10-1). Face-off is set for 3:00 p.m. AT. Both teams will then travel to Scotiabank Centre for a Sunday matinee at 5:00 p.m. AT.
Fans can secure their tickets by visiting https://ticketatlantic.co/thunderbirds or by calling or texting 902-334-2333