Thunderbirds Kick off 2022-23 NLL Season with Dominating 18-8 Victory
December 2, 2022 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Halifax Thunderbirds News Release
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia - The Halifax Thunderbirds (1-0) made an emphatic statement to open the 2022-23 NLL season with their 18-8 win against the Philadelphia Wings (0-1) at Scotiabank Centre.
After the first whistle of the season was blown, it was all Thunderbirds. The team finished the night scoring four or more goals in every quarter, winning nearly two-thirds of the face-offs, and preventing the visiting team from any success in special teams. Five different Thunderbirds players finished the night with seven points or more, with Clarke Petterson's eight (4G, 4A) leading the offense.
A textbook two-man game play from Chris Boushy to Petterson broke open the season's scoring, and a quick power play goal from captain Cody Jamieson put the home squad up 2-0. The Wings would go on to score two goals in the quarter, but after every visiting tally, the Thunderbirds would net a pair, a Boushy diving marker capping the first quarter, 6-2.
The second frame saw the Thunderbirds build upon their scoring streak. Boushy's third point of the night came off his own rebound off the boards, and the returning Ryan Benesch chased opposing netminder Zach Higgins from the cage.
Another power play goal - this time from Petterson - and key offseason acquisition Randy Staats' goal stinging the high shortside corner was eventually capped by Blaze Riorden's first goal of the game. Halftime came with the Thunderbirds up 10-3.
Returning back to the floor, the Wings tried to build some momentum with Matt Rambo's second goal of the game. But 17 seconds later, Graeme Hossack made the Wings pay in transition, burying the ball for his first goal of the season. Another Riorden tally was followed by Eric Fannell's second goal of the game, chasing backup Angus Goodleaf from the cage and reinstating Higgins.
The two teams would trade goals for the remaining 9:30 min. of the third quarter. Benesch recorded his hat trick with two more goals, and Riorden netted his third and fourth of the game before the quarter closed. The Thunderbirds were still up, 14-7.
Ready to close the books on the contest, the Thunderbirds dominated the early half of the final frame before settling in and killing time. Fannell and Petterson both recorded their fourth goals of the game, and Boushy's hat trick signaled the end of the home team's onslaught.
Riorden would have the final say of the night with a low diving goal, but his fifth of the game could not spark a comeback for the Wings. The Thunderbirds earned their first victory of the season, an 18-8 win against their Eastern Conference foe.
Benesch and Boushy both finished with three goals and four assists apiece. Jamieson's seven points came by way of two goals and five helpers. Staats led the team in assists, complemented by his first NLL goal in over two years.
Warren Hill was stellar in his first game of the season, making 34 saves in 54:41 min. of action for an 8.78 GAA and an .810 Sv%. The cushion he afforded his team gave backup Drew Hutchison his first taste of NLL action, making three saves and preventing any Wings' success on the power play in 5:19 min.
The Wings were led in points by Riorden's five goals. Captain Kiel Matisz handed out four assists. Goodleaf spent 42:54 min. between the pipes, finishing with 12.59 GAA and an .800 Sv%. Higgins played the remaining 17:05, posting a 31.58 GAA and .571 Sv%.
The Thunderbirds go on a bye week before heading stateside for a three-game road trip. Their first road game of the season will be against the New York Riptide (0-0) at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 17. Face-off is set for 8:30 p.m. AT. Fans can catch the game live on TSN Direct.
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