Fielding saves Thunder in 4-1 win

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » A long loud “Looooou” used to echo through Yankee Stadium when Sweet Lou Piniella stepped up to the plate.

In Glens Falls, Thunder fans have adopted their own version of the cheer by yelling “Drewwww” each time Adirondack’s goaltender makes a sparkling save.

A Saturday night crowd of 4,323 serenaded Drew Fielding all game long as he stopped a blistering 45 shots, 25 in the third period alone, during a 4-1 win over the Norfolk Admirals that moved the Thunder to within a point of first place.

“It’s kind of fun,” Fielding said. “You never expect whole sections or whole entire buildings to be chanting your name. It’s kind of surreal at times, but it’s very flattering. I really appreciate the support.”

The victory followed a disappointing 5-4 loss to the first-place Manchester Monarchs the night before. Coach Brad Tapper made it clear during a Saturday morn-

ing team meeting that the Thunder needed a better effort.

“Our main message was respond,” he said. “We can’t go back to back losses at home. The guys responded really well and got two points. Still, it’s a long way to go. It’s going to be a dogfight here to the finish, that’s for sure.”

Just two points separate the North Division’s top three teams with 11 games left in the regular season. After beating Norfolk, Adirondack went into Sunday’s game at Worcester in second place, while the Reading Royals were one point behind, in third.

The Thunder broke out on top, 1-0, at 6:53 of the first period on Saturday when defenseman Dylan Olsen fired a long-range missile past Admirals netminder Ty Reichenbach from the left point. Adirondack outshot Norfolk, 21-13, during the opening frame.

All too often, however, the second period has been the Thunder’s Achilles heel this season as they’ve let their guard down and seen leads slip away. But it wasn’t the case this time as Shane Conacher and Tim Harrison both connected during the middle stanza for a 3-0 Adirondack advantage.

Harrison’s goal was one of the most well-executed of the year for Adirondack. From just beyond left circle, James Henry fired a puck cross-ice to Mathieu Brodeur, who put it right on Harrison’s stick in front of crease, where he tipped it in easily for his eighth goal of the season.

Harrison wore a huge grin as the puck settled in the back of the net.

“It looked probably pretty impressive, but the guy didn’t have his stick so it made it pretty easy for me,” he said. “It’s obviously fun scoring. It’s just winning, though. That’s what it is. To be able to make it 3-0 and really set the tone going into the third, I think that’s a big goal shot. I’m really excited about it.”

Fielding appeared headed for his third shutout until Norfolk’s Christian Horn raced in on a breakaway and scored with a backhander at 11:25 of the third period to make it, 3-1. The Admirals would get no closer, however, despite outshooting the Thunder, 21-5, in the third period.