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 Worcester Railers HC

Railers Even Series in Front of Boisterous DCU Center Crowd in 2-0 Win over Thunder

April 14, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Worcester Railers HC News Release


Worcester, MA - The Worcester Railers HC(1-1) returned home and evened up the best of seven North Division Semifinals with a 2-0 win over the visiting Adirondack Thunder (1-1) in front of 4,108 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday evening. Game 3 will take place on Sunday at 5pm at the DCU Center in Worcester before shifting back to Adirondack for Games 4 and 5.

Woody Hudson and Barry Almeida scored for the Railers while Mitch Gillam made 14 saves for his first professional playoff win and shutout in the first ever Kelly Cup playoff game played in the state of Massachusetts. Worcester outshot the Thunder 27-14 and went a perfect 4-4 on the power play.

A high tempo first period saw no scoring but a ton of scoring chances as Worcester outshot Adirondack 10-4. Matt Lane was stopped on a breakaway midway through the frame as MacKenzie Blackwood made the pad saves and Mitch Gillam stopped Thunder forward Terrence Wallin on a rebound try just a few minutes later.

Worcester would score their first ever playoff goal as Yanick Turcotte provided the forecheck and Woody Hudson (1st) was able to jam the puck at the side of the net off the skate of MacKenzie Blackwood at 7:40 of the second period to give the Railers a 1-0 lead. Physical play picked up 10-fold in the middle frame as several post whistle skirmishes broke out. Shots were 21-10 in favor of Worcester through 40 minutes of play as the Railers held a 1-0 advantage.

Shots were just 6-4 in favor of Worcester in the third period but Mitch Gillam had to make a few tough saves which included when the Railers were shorthanded late in the third period. Barry Almeida (1st) skated down the ice after he stole the puck in the Worcester end and sent the puck into the empty net at 19:14 to give the Railers a 2-0 win.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Yanick Turcotte (Assist) 2nd star: Woody Hudson (GWG) 1st star: Mitch Gillam (14 saves, Win) ...Final shots were 27-14 in favor of Worcester...Mackenzie Blackwood (1-1-0-0) made 25 saves on 26 shots for Adirondack... Nick Niedert was the backup for the Thunder.... Mitch Gillam (1-1-0-0) made 14 saves on 14 shots in net for Worcester in his first professional playoff win and shutout...Eamon McAdam was the backup goaltender for the Railers.... Worcester went 0-for-2 on the power play while Adirondack went 0-for-4...Chris Langkow (inj), Frankie DiChiara, and Kyle McKenzie (inj) did not dress for Worcester.... Kellen Jones, Patrick Cullity, and Josh Holmstrom are currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.... Jake Randolph and Connor Doherty each played their first professional playoff game for Worcester...... ...it was the first home playoff win at the DCU Center since the Worcester Sharks defeated the Manchester Monarchs in Round 2 in Game 1 on April 25, 2010....Barry Almeida had four shots on goal which included the shorthanded empty net goal.

What's on tap? - PLAYOFFS!

The Worcester Railers (4thseed) and the Adirondack Thunder (1stseed) are tied 1-1 in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs presented by Energy Monster. The first round is a best of seven series and will follow a 1-2-2-1-1 format. Complete schedule below:

GAME 1 Friday, April 13 7pm at Adirondack - Thunder win 3-0

GAME 2 Saturday, April 14 7:05pm at Worcester - Railers win 2-0

GAME 3 Sunday, April 15 5:05pm at Worcester (Home Game B)

GAME 4 Wednesday, April 18 7pm at Adirondack

GAME 5 Saturday, April 21 7pm at Adirondack - if necessary

GAME 6 Monday, April 23 7:05pm at Worcester (Home Game C) - if necessary

GAME 7 Wednesday, April 25 7pm at Adirondack - if necessary

The first 1,000 fans at all home playoff games will receive a Railers HC rally towel presented by Energy Monster and a BOGO offer coupon from Chipotle. Fans can score$5 Bud Lightsin the Bud Light Lounge at all home playoff games. Family Fun Packswill be available for all home playoff games which include four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just $80. Individual tickets start at just $15. Call 508-365-1750 or visit www.RailersHC.com.

Tickets are on sale now through the DCU Center Box Office, online via ticketmaster.com, or by calling 508-365-1750. Worcester Railers HC members may purchase their season tickets for the playoffs.

The Worcester Railers were 16 points behind the Wheeling Nailers on January 25 and were in 6thplace in the North Division. The Railers have posted a 22-8-1-2 record since, which included a 15-3-1-0 record at the DCU Center. Worcester was 11-2-1 in their last 14 games overall outscoring their opponents 34-20. The Railers went 8-2-2-0 vs. the Adirondack Thunder this season which includes a 5-1-1-0 record at the Cool Insuring Arena.

The Railers Tavern, located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live at Railers Tavern or watch on ECHLTV.com for a small fee. Listen to all Worcester Railers playoff games live on 98.9 Nash ICONwith coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquistand Tom Matthews. Full season memberships for the 2018-19 season, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.


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