Riley sparks Game 3 Thunder victory
GLENSFALLS, N.Y. » Conor Riley deserves a starring role in The Fast and the Furious action films.
The speedy Thunder defenseman intercepted a pass, turned on the jets and raced headlong down ice for a shorthanded goal that turned the tide in Adirondack’s 5-3 victory over Manchester in pivotal Game 3 of their bestof-seven series, on Tuesday.
Another win Thursday, in Glens Falls, would give the Thunder a commanding 3-1 lead in games, with a chance to wrap things up Sunday on the road.
“I don’t have too many breakaway moves,” said Riley, who only scored five regular-season goals. “At the red line I kind of decided if I could try to fake forehand then I could slide it five-hole. That was kind of the game plan.”
It worked to perfection and gave the Thunder a 3-1 lead, part
of a five-goal second-period outburst that set a franchise record for most goals in a single frame.
Adirondack started out sluggish during the first period, which ended in a 0- 0 tie.
Thunder rookie Ryan Schmelzer broke the ice with his team-high fifth postseason marker 2:35 into the middle session. Manchester answered two minutes later. Then Colton White found the net for Adirondack, which made it 2-1.
A Manchester power play gave the Monarchs a chance to knot the score once again. But Riley had other things in mind.
The goal was his first of the postseason and couldn’t have come at a much better time.
“Everyone knew that we didn’t have a great first period,” he said. “They (the Monarchs) were definitely giving a lot of energy. They were bringing it. We were kind of on our heels a little bit. Coach (Brad Tapper) let us know, hey, we’re at home. We need to match or exceed their efforts. During the second and third periods that’s what we did.”
Netminder Drew Fielding had a 38- save performance for his second straight win after missing more than a month’s action with a serious groin injury. He faced 17 shots in the third period alone, including a heavy barrage start- ing with 2:33 left, when Manchester’s goaltender went to the bench in favor of an extra attacker.
All three Manchester goals came on power plays including one during a 5- on-3 advantage.
After Riley scored, the Monarchs cut the lead to, 3-2, but Thunder goals by Austin Orszulak and Terrence Wallin, 20 seconds apart, gave Adirondack a comfortable three- goal cushion heading into the third period.
Tapper said he was pleased with the way Adirondack turned up the heat following a slow first period start.
“I’m proud of our team,” he said. “We were down to seven forwards there at one point. We had two forwards in the box and guys were going every other shift. So kudos to our guys. I’m proud of their effort.”