A loss and a win for Thunder in weekend’s seasonopening matches
THE Dunedin Thunder got its season off to an even start with a win and a loss in its opening games against West Auckland Admirals in Dunedin at the weekend.
New Thunder coach Travis Gibbons was pleased to notch his first win in charge of the Dunedin side and was encouraged by its first two outings this season.
‘‘It was definitely an improvement from the preseason. It was really nice to get our first win on Sunday,’’ he said.
‘‘We were a lot more disciplined compared to the preseason and we stayed out of the box for the most part. When we play five on five we are capable of competing with any team in the league and that is something we are going to continue to work on.’’
The Thunder charged out of the starting blocks in the first game on Saturday, piling on four goals in the first period.
Joe Orr got his side’s season under way with a goal less than two minutes into the game.
Benjamin Gavoille, Brandon Egli and Jacob Hurring also landed firstperiod goals to send the Thunder to the sheds with a handy 42 lead.
The Admirals came out firing in the second period, piling on three unanswered goals to take a onegoal advantage into the final period at 54.
Captain Paris Heyd quickly equalised with an early third period goal.
The Admirals fought back with a return goal, but Heyd again equalised with his second goal of the match.
That would be the Thunder’s last scoring play of the match as the Admirals scored twice more to seal a 86 win over the home side.
The two teams played out a goalless first period when they met again in their second match at the Dunedin Ice Stadium on Sunday.
The action heated up in the second period, with the teams firing in two goals apiece.
Heyd continued his strong weekend on the ice with the first, with Gavoille notching his second for the weekend.
The teams were locked at 22 and added a goal each in the third period, with Heyd slotting yet another score, to send the match to overtime.
Heyd would go on to clinch the match for the home side in just 23sec of overtime.
The Thunder’s next two matches are against the Canterbury Red Devils in Christchurch on Saturday and Sunday.
After sitting out this weekend with a bye, the Stampede will play its season openers against the Admirals in Auckland on Saturday and Sunday.