Carolina Sweeps Weekend Series

   Friday night’s game was a barn burner that went right down to the wire. The Thunderbirds edged out the Thunder 3-2. Saturday night was a bit of a different story, with the top team in the league showing why they were ranked #1.

    With Starting goaltender Aaron Taylor out, the Thunder went to first-time starter Sebastian De Massa Carlsson. It was not an easy task for the first-time starter taking on the league’s best. The Thunderbirds set the tone early with a plethora of shots early on Carlsson who stood tall. Shortly after the media timeout, the Thunderbirds were able to pot the first goal of the game. Daniel Klinecky scored on a 2 on 1 with Jo Osaka. The first goal of the game with 6:45 to go in the first would hold up to be the game-winner. Carolina continued to pressure and Jiri Pargac scored a short-handed goal with just a couple of minutes left in the first to head to the first intermission up 2-0. De Massa made 17 saves and Jake Mullen stopped all 7 Delaware shots.

    The Thunderbirds took over the game in the second. They added 2 more goals and outshot the Thunder 15-2. Daniel Martin and Konnor Haas were the goal scorers in the second for Carolina. Both goals came at even strength. All weekend Carolina was extra impressive on the penalty kill and even killed a 5-minute major off when Holt was ejected for head contact.

    Carolina continued the strong showing in period three. They scored a trio of goals in the third, two even strength and one short-handed. Cangelosi, Vlasov, and Pargac were the third-period scorers. Mullen finished with 20 saves earning his second shutout in as many starts for Carolina. De Massa Carlsson stopped 40/47 Thunderbirds shots. Delaware is back home this weekend for a trio of games against the Watertown Wolves. The marquee matchup will be Saturday night for First Responders Night. See you at The Dome!