Thunderbirds hang on to beat Riptide
Feb 19, 2023
HALIFAX, NS (February 19, 2023) -- The Halifax Thunderbirds (5-5) were able to defend a one-goal lead in the late goings at Scotiabank Centre on Sunday afternoon, winning 13-12 over the visiting New York Riptide (2-7).
The visitors got off to a strong start in this game, scoring three of the first four goals of the afternoon. Jeff Teat opened things up on the power play with a shot from the outside. His marker was answered by Cody Jamieson, who finished off a quick-stick pass on the back post.
Dan Lomas and Kevin Brownell tripled the lead, giving New York a 3-1 edge after one.
Halifax answered in a big way to end the half, however. Clarke Petterson got the Birds started in the second frame and despite another two-goal run from the Riptide, the Thunderbirds continued to fight. The hosts rallied off five straight – all from different goal-scorers. Johnny Pearson got his third of the year in transition, and Randy Staats and Clarke Petterson followed up to help Halifax tie things up.
Ryan Benesch and Chris Boushy added on, giving Halifax a two-goal cushion. However, Matt Marinier blocked a shot in the dying seconds and scored on the yawning cage with seven seconds in the second quarter.
Heading out of the break with a 7-6 lead, Boushy and Jamieson made it 9-6 with back-to-back tallies. The two teams finished with three goals apiece in each of the two final quarters. Staats broke up a three-goal Teat run, leaving the score at 10-9 Thunderbirds with a final 15 minutes to play.
Reilly O’Connor and Larson Sundown tied the game twice in the fourth. But the Birds answered with goals from Staats, Benesch, and Jamieson, who put the final nail in the coffin.
New York tried to come back, but their attempts were turned away by the Thunderbirds’ defence.
Benesch (2G, 5A) was the offensive leader for Halifax while Staats (3G, 3A) and Petterson (2G, 4A) also put in stellar shifts. Chris Boushy also finished with two goals and five points for the night.
Warren Hill was solid in the net again, turning away 27 shots, including a number of high-danger chances.
The Thunderbirds will get the next week off before returning home to take on the Buffalo Bandits (8-2) at Scotiabank Centre. Opening face-off is set for 7:30 p.m. AT.