THUNDERBIRDS EXTEND WIN STREAK TO 14 WITH GRITTY EFFORT AGAINST DANVILLE

Winston-Salem, NC – The Carolina Thunderbirds grinded out a first period lead to a 4-1 win over the Danville Dashers to elevate their win streak to 14.

Carolina’s first period could not have gone better as the line of Peter Cicmanec-Joe Cangelosi-Tommy Mahoney combined well for the first two goals of the game after about seven and a half minutes in. Both goals were the result of crisp passing in the offensive zone and quick shots where Danville netminder Matt Kaludis had little to no chance on.

Carolina would add a third one for good measure before the break when a pass from beneath the goal line set up Everett Thompson for a one-timer goal over Kaludis’ shoulder.

After the first intermission, Danville’s team talk from interim head coach Dustin Henning clearly lit a fire on the bench because Danville forechecked harder and looked more menacing in the offensive zone then they had at any point in the first period. The Dashers potted their first and only goal of the game on the power play with Nathan Campbell putting one one-time past Frankie McClendon.

Danville had plenty of chances in the second to get even closer, including an effort with Ryan Alves on a breakaway in the period’s dying seconds. A backhand effort beat McClendon but not before the buzzer sounded according to the referees. Carolina headed into the locker room lucky to be up two.

A third period goal from Stan Vlasov on the power play gave the Thunderbirds a three goal lead and gave the game its final scoreline. However, same as the third period the Dashers had many chances on the net of McClendon including at one point ringing three posts in two different shots back-to-back. The puck luck and the posts, fixed by PF Plumbing, were on the Carolina Thunderbirds’ side tonight as they win and advance the win streak to 14.

Frankie McClendon got the win to remain perfect on the year at 4-0-0-0, he stopped 26 of 27 shots in the win. Matt Kaludis picks up the loss for Danville and stopped 35 of 39 shots tonight.

3 Stars of the Night
Chase Fallis
Frankie McClendon
Mike Baker