Three Goal Second Period Leads Watertown Past Carolina
January 8, 2022 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Carolina Thunderbirds News Release
Watertown, NY - The Carolina Thunderbirds began a three-game road trip to Watertown with a 4-2 loss on Friday night. With the loss, Carolina falls to 0-3 against the Wolves this season.
Evan Morrison got the start for Carolina, while FPHL Goaltender of the Month Breandan Colgan occupied the Watertown crease. Both netminders were tested in the first period, though neither would blink. Despite Watertown's tremendous zone time, the Thunderbirds actually took a 14-7 shot advantage into the dressing room after a scoreless 20 minutes. Colgan was peppered, while Morrison stared down a number of high-danger chances from Justin MacDonald and Ahmed Mahfouz, who was playing in his first FPHL game since April of 2021. Mahfouz is currently the league's all-time leader in goals, assist and points.
Watertown began to hit paydirt in the second period. With Jiri Pestuka's first period penalty carrying over into the second, Justin MacDonald fed Lane King in the left wing circle for the game's opening goal. The Wolves continued their sustained pressure in Carolina's zone as the period wore on. Minutes later, Ahmed Mahfouz would throw the puck toward Morrison's goal in hopes of a deflection. Instead, the puck slipped through the body of a screened Morrison to make it 2-0 in favor of the home club. Cole McKechney would bury a pass from Larry Yellowknee later in the period, and Watertown walked into the second intermission with a 3-0 lead.
Though Justin MacDonald brought the deficit to four goals early in the third period, Carolina would begin to battle back. Jacob Schnapp deflected a Viktor Grebennikov point shot on the powerplay to give the Thunderbirds life. Later, Cameron Dimmitt appeared to score on a shot that leaked through Colgan, but it was ruled that the whistle had blown before the puck rolled into the net. Tommy Cardinal added a late tally to make it 4-2, but that was as close as Carolina got. With an assist on Cardinal's goal, Gus Ford extended his point streak to 10 games (11-10-21.)
Carolina and Watertown collide for their second game of the weekend on Saturday night. Puck drop from Watertown is set for 7:30.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2022
- Big Third Secures Columbus the Win - Delaware Thunder
- Black Bears Sweep Prowlers with 7-3 Win - Binghamton Black Bears
- Hat Tricks Search for Series Win in Attleboro - Danbury Hat Tricks
- Three Goal Second Period Leads Watertown Past Carolina - Carolina Thunderbirds
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