Gameday: Adirondack at South Carolina
Published on April 30, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Adirondack Thunder News Release
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Tonight's matchup is Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the South Carolina Stingrays and the Adirondack Thunder. The two teams square off for the second time in as many nights, after Adirondack took Game 1 on Friday evening by a 5-1 final. Including the regular season, the Thunder are 3-1 against South Carolina, including 2-0 in North Charleston.
DEAR JOHN-SON: Thunder forward Ben Johnson led the charge for Adirondack last night with a goal and an assist, his first multi-point game of the playoffs. Johnson scored his first career shorthanded tally less than four minutes into the game to give the Thunder an early 2-0 lead and later assisted on Dana Fraser's eventual game winner in the second period.
SHOW ME WHAT YOU'RE KIRKING WITH: Forward Michael Kirkpatrick collected two assists in last night's win, moving his playoff total back to a point-per-game at six points (2-4-6) in six games. Kirkpatrick's multi-point effort was his third of the postseason, adding onto the 17 he collected in the regular season. Regular season included, Kirkpatrick leads all Adirondack scorers against the Stingrays this season with five points (3-2-5) in four games played.
FANTASTIC FIVE: Adirondack scored five goals for the first time in the postseason, breaking their previous high of four, set in Game 2 against Manchester in Round 1. The Thunder scored five goals 12 times during the regular season, losing just once, and went 21-6-4 when scoring at least three goals.
SHOOT TO THRILL: The Thunder tied their season low with 16 shots on goal in Game 1 but set a season high in shooting percentage, as they picked up five goals, good for a 31.3% conversion rate. Adirondack had 16 shots once during the regular season back in November, a 1-0 away victory over the Toledo Walleye. Adirondack has now been outshot in five of their six playoff games to date, but hold a 4-1 record in such games.
SPECIAL, SPECIAL TEAMS: The Thunder have thrived on special teams so far during the postseason beginning with the penalty kill, which was 7-of-8 in last night's win. Adirondack has killed off 90.3% of all opposing power plays through six playoff games, ranking second in the ECHL behind only Fort Wayne (93.2%). The Thunder have also scored a power-play goal in five of six playoff games, extended with Brodeur's PPG last evening.
A LOOK AHEAD: Following tonight's Game 2, the series shifts to Upstate New York beginning with Game 3 on Tuesday evening at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Games 4 and if necessary Game 5 will also be played at the GFCC on Thursday and Saturday respectively.
ECHL Stories from April 30, 2016
- Mavericks Tie Round 2 Series against Americans with 5-2 Victory - Kansas City Mavericks
- Dekanich Stymies Thunder in 1-0 Shutout Win in Game 2 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Fort Wayne Breaks Third Period Tie to Take 2-0 Series Lead - Utah Grizzlies
- Rapid City Finishes as Runner-Up - Rapid City Rush
- Mavericks Add Three Players to Roster Ahead of Game 2 - Kansas City Mavericks
- ECHL Transactions - April 30 - ECHL
- Gameday: Adirondack at South Carolina - Adirondack Thunder
- Playoff Game Preview: Game 2- Adirondack at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - April 30 - ECHL
- Americans, Gill Shut Out Missouri in Game 1 - Allen Americans
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