Thunder unity key as playoffs get under way

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. » The popular song “We Are Family” by the Philadelphia disco group Sister Sledge is nearly synonymous with the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.

The refrain hasn’t been heard lately at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, but would be a perfect fit considering the team spirit that carried the Thunder into this year’s ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs.

There isn’t a single First- or Second-Team All-Star on this year’s roster, but Coach Brad Tapper says Adirondack has something much more valuable.

“These guys are all family, they’re really tight,” he said after Thursday’s workout. “I believe we are the tightest team in this league, probably in hockey. These guys love each other, they go to war for each other, they play hard for each other. Coaches awards, Sportsman of the Year, MVP, those are individual awards. Who cares? People remember the championship teams, those teams that fought hard for each other in the playoffs.”

Game 1 of the Thunder’s first-round, best-of-seven series

against the Worcester Railers is at 7 p.m. Friday.

“The first game is important to try to get momentum, especially with the next two over there Saturday and Sunday,” said veteran defenseman Mathieu Brodeur. “It’s going to be a big game for sure. Hopefully we get the win and then go from there. In the playoffs every minute counts. You’ve got to play all the way, 60 minutes.”

The contest, and entire series, could very well hinge on which team gets the better goaltending performance. Worcester’s Mitch Gillam has been almost unbeatable of late, helping his team clinch a playoff berth by winning 22 of its final 33 regular-season games.

But this is the Cornell product’s rookie season.

Thunder starting netminder Mackenzie Blackwood spent all of last year with the former Albany Devils (AHL) including four postseason contests, so he’s no stranger to pro playoff pressure. Likewise, he played another 32 games this season with the Binghamton Senators, Adirondack’s AHL affiliate in the New Jersey Devils organization.

“We’re going to need him to help us win these hockey games,” Tapper said. “It’s great to have him. He’s a big kid, he’s a leader in the room. Whatever pucks are coming at him he battles all the time. He tracks pucks really well, and his will and his want are really high right now, which is exciting.”