Gameday: Adirondack vs. Manchester
December 26, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Adirondack Thunder News Release
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP: Tonight is the first game back for the Thunder following the holiday break, after the team had the past week off from games. This is the fifth game this season between division rivals Manchester and Adirondack and the first of a home-and-home this weekend. The teams are separated in the standings by a mere three points, with the Monarchs in first place and the Thunder in third in the East Division. Adirondack holds a 3-0-1 advantage thus far this season, with the only Thunder loss coming in overtime at the Civic Center on December 12. The last time these teams faced off on December 13, Drew Fielding stole the show with a 2-0 shut-out in Manchester on December 12.
CHEAP KIRKPA-TRICK: Michael Kirkpatrick continued his hot streak in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Norfolk and is becoming one of the most impressive rookie scorers in the ECHL. The North Sydney, NS native scored a goal in the first period that raised his total to 12 on the season, tied for the current rookie lead. Kirkpatrick, who also ranks sixth in points amongst rookies, is riding a four-game scoring streak headed into this weekend.
HOMECOMING: Clifton Park native Peter MacArthur will look to make his home debut with the Thunder on Saturday. The veteran forward makes his return to American ice after he spent the last three seasons in various European professional leagues. MacArthur spent the first part of the 2015-16 season skating with the Graz EC of the Austrian League. The Shenendehowa product has played in the ECHL before and collected 52 points (18-34-52) in 41 games with the Fresno Falcons (2008-09) and Las Vegas Wranglers (2011-12).
BEN 10: Adirondack forward Ben Johnson has found his legs as he gets into game action, with four points (1-3-4) over his past four games. The New Jersey Devils prospect collected three points last weekend in Norfolk, including his first goal of the season with a late first period tally in Friday's 5-3 win. Johnson also had the lone helper on Kirkpatrick's goal on Saturday. In 22 career ECHL contests with Adirondack and Orlando, Johnson has collected 16 points (5-11-16).
TENDS TO BE GOOD: The Adirondack Thunder have had stellar goaltending from each of the four netminders who have donned the crease this season. Thunder goaltenders have combined for a .928 save percentage through 23 games, which ranks third in the ECHL behind just Missouri and Florida. With just 53 goals allowed, the Thunder have allowed less tallies than all teams besides the Mavericks (46).
DARKNESS TURNS TO LEIT: Manchester forward Matt Leitner is currently tied for the rookie league lead in points with 29 (7-22-29) and leads all first year players with 22 assists. In addition to being tied for the rookie lead, Leitner is tied for fourth in the entire ECHL amongst skaters. The California native has scored in nine of his last 13 games and has three points (1-2-3) in four games vs the Thunder this season.
ECHL Stories from December 26, 2015
- Oilers Take Goaltender's Duel 2-1 in a Shootout - Wichita Thunder
- Mavericks Defeat Americans 3-1 on the Road - Kansas City Mavericks
- Veideman Buries Game-Winning Goal in OT as Eagles Top Rush 4-3 - Colorado Eagles
- Fuel Rides Three-Goal Third to Win at Quad City - Indy Fuel
- IceMen Swarm Cyclones in Comeback Win - Evansville IceMen
- Royals Post Second Straight Shutout over Elmira, 4-0 - Reading Royals
- Cyclones Fall in Evansville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Carr Carries Oilers to Second Straight Shootout Win over Thunder - Tulsa Oilers
- K-Wings Downed by Komets in Return from Break - Kalamazoo Wings
- Combs Gifts Swamp Rabbits with Overtime Winner - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Admirals Return from Christmas Break with Loss to Stingrays - Norfolk Admirals
- Fuel Drops Mallards 4-1 - Quad City Mallards
- Vigier Sparks Stingrays to 5-2 Win over Norfolk - South Carolina Stingrays
- Holy Toledo, What a Win: Walleye Take Wheeling 4-1 - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers Fall 4-1 in First Game After Coaching Change - Wheeling Nailers
- Atlanta Scores Late to Earn Point, Falls in OT 3-2 to Greenville - Atlanta Gladiators
- Jackals Blanked Again by Morrison, Royals - Elmira Jackals
- Monarchs Dropped by Thunder, 6-1 - Manchester Monarchs
- Goaltender Clarke Saunders Rejoins Eagles - Colorado Eagles
- Beast Receive Jacklin for Leboeuf - Brampton Beast
- Jackals Make a Flurry of Moves Following Holiday Freeze - Elmira Jackals
- Game Day Capsule: Tulsa at Wichita, December 26th - Wichita Thunder
- Preview: Swamp Rabbits Seek Four Points against Atlanta this Weekend - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Transactions - December 26 - ECHL
- Jackals Return to Action at Home against Reading - Elmira Jackals
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Game Notes: vs Evansville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Day: Missouri at Allen - Allen Americans
- Goaltender Mark Dekanich Recalled to Hershey - South Carolina Stingrays
- Defenseman Rutkowski Called up to Binghamton - Evansville IceMen
- Nailers at Walleye Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Oilers Travel to Wichita: Boxing Day Game Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Gelinas Recalled by Iowa - Quad City Mallards
- Forward Cam Reid Returned to Reading from Utica - Reading Royals
- Gameday: Adirondack vs. Manchester - Adirondack Thunder
- ECHL Today - December 26 - ECHL
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