GLENS FALLS, NY — The Worcester Railers, headed toward the worst season-ending collapse in the history of pro hockey in the city, once again managed to take one out of the win column and put up a loss in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Adirondack Thunder.
That huge flushing noise coming from the Cool Insuring Arena this weekend was the sound of the last vestiges of the Railers ECHL record-breaking start going down the toilet as the Thunder’s third win in a row over Worcester gets the Railers lead over Adirondack down to just three points, within the Thunder’s two games in hand over Worcester.
The Railers jumped out to an early 8-0 shots advantage, but had nothing to show for it except helping to make Thunder goalie Jake Theut’s save percentage against Worcester go even higher. The teams would end the opening frame scoreless.
The goal that gave Adirondack their 1-0 lead is the perfect example of how the season has gone for Worcester. The Railers were all over the Thunder in the attacking zone but never had anything that could be called a high-quality scoring bid. Then Conor Breen’s shot from the point was blocked, with Patrick Grasso grabbing the loose puck and streaking down three zones to beat Ken Appleby at 1:41 of the middle frame.
With about seven minutes to go in the frame, Reece Newkirk pulled his team back to even.
For those familiar with attending games in Glens Falls it’s obvious Newkirk’s reaction isn’t a positive one toward Boosters, it’s aimed directly at the section N crowd behind the team bench.
It was 1-1 after two frames and Worcester had a little momentum on their side, but an ill-timed tripping penalty by Myles McGurty put the Railers shorthanded and then put the Railers behind as Shawn Weller scored at 1:01 of the period to make it 2-1.
From there Worcester’s anemic offense couldn’t put another past Theut as the Railers once again lose a winnable game.
GAME NOTES
Scratches for the Railers were Christain Evers (IR/unknown), Billy Jerry, Max Johnson (IR/unknown), Chris Ordoobadi, Jack Quinlivan (IR/unknown), Quin Ryan (IR/unknown), and Josh Victor (upper body). Henrik Tikkanen was the backup goaltender.
The three stars of the game were
1. ADK – 35 Jake Theut
2. ADK – 21 Patrick Grasso
3. ADK – 63 Shawn Weller
The 210Sports Player of the Game was Reece Newkirk.
Even Strength Lines
Vesey / Beaudoin / Repaci
Jandric / Newkirk / Butler
Hayhurst / Coughlin / Callin
Goodsir / X / Bakanov
McCarthy / McGurty
Brandt / Delmas
Beaulieu / Breen
Our affiliates last night
Buffalo 2, NY Islanders 0
St. Louis 6, Anaheim 3
Springfield 4, Hartford 0
In the ECHL’s North Division
Wheeling 6, Reading 5
Newfoundland 3, Florida 2
South Carolina 7, Maine 3
Norfolk 4, Trois-Rivieres 3 (OT)
North Division Standings
Team points (points percentage) games in hand vs Worcester
Newfoundland 88 (.688) 1
Reading 76 (.613) 3
Maine 73 (.589) 3
Worcester 67 (.515)
Adirondack 64 (.508) 2
Trois-Rivieres 51 (.405) 2
Norfolk 41 (.320) 1
BOX SCORE
Worcester 0 1 0 – 1
Adirondack 0 1 1 – 2
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Slick Adk (delay of game), 5:30.
2nd Period-1, Adirondack, Grasso 31 1:41. 2, Worcester, Newkirk 17 (Butler, Brandt), 13:10. Penalties-McGurty Wor (tripping), 10:21; Rivera Adk (interference), 16:55.
3rd Period-3, Adirondack, Weller 11 (Orgel, Vidmar), 1:01 (PP). Penalties-McGurty Wor (tripping), 0:35; McCarthy Wor (high-sticking), 9:10; Rivera Adk (high-sticking), 14:38.
Shots on Goal-Worcester 13-13-8-34. Adirondack 9-8-9-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 0 / 3; Adirondack 1 / 3.
Goalies-Worcester, Appleby 12-11-1-0 (26 shots-24 saves). Adirondack, Theut 16-13-4-1 (34 shots-33 saves).
A-5,029
Referees-Trevor Wohlford (38).
Linesmen-Shane Kanaly (74), Sam Schildkraut (46).
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