Thunderbirds Fall in Shootout to Mississippi, 6-5
Published on January 19, 2024 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Twin City Thunderbirds News Release
Winston-Salem, NC - The Carolina Thunderbirds dropped game one of a two-game series to the Mississippi Sea Wolves, 6-5, in a shootout Friday night at the Annex.
Carolina (20-6-1) started quickly taking a 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the 1st period on goals from Josh Koepplinger and Jiri Pestuka, but Mississippi (15-14-1) responded. Jackson Bond and Danny Liscio both scored before the 14:00 minute mark of the first, tying the game at two. The Thunderbirds answered with Koepplinger recording a hat trick before the first period came to an end, but Hugo Koch cut the Carolina lead to one with 55 seconds remaining in the 1st and the Thunderbirds led, 4-3, after 20 minutes.
In the second, Dalton Anderson beat Frankie McClendon at the 8:52 mark of the 2nd period to tie the game at four before Jon Buttitta snapped one past Anthony D'Aloisio at the 10:19 mark giving Carolina the 5-4 lead going to the 3rd.
After the second intermission, both sides had opportunities before Philip Wong on the power play tied the game at five at the 9:39 mark. Carolina had opportunites late, but D'Aloisio made save after save sending the game to overtime. Carolina outshot Mississippi 5-2 in overtime but couldn't find a winner as the two sides went to a shootout.
In the shootout, neither side scored in the first round before Yianni Liarakos beat McClendon in the second round and after a save from D'Aloisio, Koch won it in the third round taking down Carolina, 6-5 (2-0).
The loss marks Carolina's first loss in overtime or a shootout this season but salvage a point. The Thunderbirds and Sea Wolves meet for game two on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7:35 p.m. from the Annex in Winston-Salem.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2024
- FPHL Ice Chips - Game Recaps - FPHL
- Bobcats Earn Point in 4-3 Shootout Defeat - Blue Ridge Bobcats
- Thunderbirds Fall in Shootout to Mississippi, 6-5 - Twin City Thunderbirds
- Prowlers Survive Rockers in Motor City - Port Huron Prowlers
- Home Streak Ended - Binghamton Black Bears
- River Sharks Take Down Wolves, 4-2 - Elmira River Sharks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
