Thunder one point from clinching playoff berth
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » The Thunder are one point away from punching their ticket to the ECHL playoffs.
A win or tie would do it Wednesday, at Worcester, while possibly lifting Adirondack into a first-place tie pending the outcome of other league action.
The Railers are currently fifth in the North Division, trying to keep their postseason hopes alive by avoiding elimination.
“We know what’s at stake and Worcester knows what’s at stake,” Thunder coach Brad Tapper said. “It will be a Game 7-type atmosphere. It’s going to be a physical game. We’re in playoff mode, but we’re still taking it day by day.”
Tapper has somehow managed to keep Adirondack on track despite a flurry of recent roster changes, as new players have joined the team following the conclusion of their four-year college careers.
“We’re very happy with the guys we have here,” he said. “When they come in and put the jersey on they’re part of the family. They’ve bought in.”
Canisius product Ryan Schmelzer made an immediate impact on Saturday, by scoring his first pro
goal in Adirondack’s 5-3 win over first-place Manchester -- one night after a 5-0 loss to the Monarchs. The victory moved the Thunder to within two points of the division lead. A win Wednesday at Worcester, combined with a Manchester loss at Reading, would create a firstplace tie.
Schmelzer, a 6-foot forward, is no stranger to championship hockey, having won an Atlantic Hockey Conference regular-season title last year with Canisius, where he was a 40-goal scorer over four years. He could have signed with at least a couple of other teams, but chose Adirondack because of its postseason possibilities.
“You’re thrown right into the fire,” said Schmelzer, of East Amherst near Buffalo. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s exciting every night. Every game is a playoff atmosphere. Every game is, you’re life’s on the line pretty much. It’s really exciting to be part of that. I got a little taste of it in juniors, too, with the Buffalo Junior Sabres where we went to a couple of Game 7’s. So I have that experience and can hopefully carry that forward.”
Schmelzer joined the Thunder on the recommendation of Adirondack forward Shane Conacher, a former Canisius linemate.
“I tried to figure out where I’d fit best, where I’d be most comfortable and confident,” Schmelzer said. “After hearing what Shane had to say, and the coaching staff, I felt like this would be the best fit and I’m very happy with my decision.”
As fate would have it, Schmelzer’s first pro goal came against former Canisius netminder Charles Williams, now with Manchester.
“I talked to him afterward and he wasn’t very happy,” Schmelzer said smiling.”