Thunder begins well twice but is beaten in both games

IF only ice hockey games were decided on the opening goal.

The Dunedin Thunder made the perfect start to both games in its latest doubleheader at the weekend — but the finish left a little to be desired.

Backtoback losses to the West Auckland Admirals at the Dunedin Ice Stadium consigned the plucky but luckless Thunder to an 06 record in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League.

It led both games 10 but slipped to 62 (Friday) and 53 (Saturday) losses.

Matt Enright, assisted by Noah Gregory and Regan Wilson, gave the Thunder fans reason to cheer with the opening goal on Saturday night, but the slick Admirals responded well to lead 31 after the first period.

The Thunder then had its best spell of the weekend, winning the second period 21.

Enright, again assisted by Gregory and Wilson, scored his second, and Ben Harford (assisted by Ian Audas) made it 43 heading into the final period.

Hopes of a moraleboosting breakthrough win were dashed when the Admirals scored their fifth goal early in the period.

On Friday night, Sam Audas gave the Thunder its 10 lead on the assist from Tristan Darling.

The Admirals then took control, leading 21 after the first period and 41 after the second.

Dylan Devlin scored on the power play (assisted by Harford and Enright) to give the home team some hope, before the Aucklanders rattled in two more goals.

The Thunder’s next assignment is a road trip to play the Canterbury Red Devils this weekend.

Also heading to road ice is the leagueleading Southern Stampede, which takes its perfect 60 record to the Botany Swarm.