Twin City Thunder’s Dom Chasse shoots the puck on Islanders HC goalie Dunford DeLoss as Raymond Janik attempts to stop him during Friday’s game at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. RAM Sport Photography
AUBURN —The Twin City Thunder have found their winning ways again.
After snapping their seven-game losing streak Thursday against the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs in a shootout, the Thunder earned another victory Friday, defeating Islanders Hockey Club 4-1 at Norway Savings Bank Arena in a USPHL NCDC North Division contest.
Thunder coach Dan Hodge said after the roster moves made last week, the team is coming together.
“The guys are playing well; I will give them credit,” Hodge said. “Again, we made those changes and it’s all about getting used to each other. Hopefully, the trend continues tomorrow.”
The Thunder face the Junior Bruins (8-14-6, 22 points) at Norway Savings Bank Arena at 5 p.m. Saturday.
First-year forward Ben Portner tallied a goal and an assist for the Thunder (12-14-1, 25 points), while goalie Christopher Jackson stopped 38 shots.
“I like our line the past couple of games,” Portner said. “The forecheck has been pretty good and we are getting a lot of shots on net.”
Portner’s linemates are Edvin Robertsson and James Tatro.
Twin City Thunder forward James Tatro, left, and Islander HC’s Andrew Miller battle for the puck Friday afternoon at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. The Thunder prevailed 4-1. RAM Sport Photography
The Islanders (10-16-2, 22 points) had the momentum late in the first period and capitalized when defenseman Elias Hornquist received a pass from Evan Armit and ripped a slap shot from the high slot with about three minutes remaining for a 1-0 lead.
“We had a good start; we had a good first period,” Islanders coach Tim Kyrkostas said. “We fell asleep in the second and 1-1 going into the third. On the road, that’s all you can ask for.”
Leon Binner had a penalty shot opportunity with less than two minutes left in the first period, but Jackson stopped the Islanders forward and kept the game a 1-0 deficit for Twin City.
Twin City Thunder Goalie Christopher Jackson blocks a point-blank penalty shot by Islanders HC’s Leon Biller in Friday’s game at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn.
After the Thunder killed off a penalty early in the second period, defenseman Martin Marnauzs’ point shot beat Islanders goalie Dunford DeLoss (34 saves), tying the game 1-1. Robertsson and Portner set the goal up.
Twin City got into penalty trouble to start the third period, but the Thunder killed off the Ricky Davis and Patrick Last minors.
The Islanders were 0 for 6 on the man-advantage and the Thunder were 0 for 5.
“We had ample opportunities on the power play to score and we didn’t get the job done,” Kyrkostas said. “Credit to their penalty kill.”
The Thunder went on the offensive after as Portner tapped home a cross-ice pass from Robertsson for a 2-1 lead midway through the third period.
“We have pretty good chemistry. I went to the far post and he gave it to me,” Portner said of Robertsson.
Trace Norwell gave the Thunder a two-goal lead with about two minutes remaining, beating DeLoss with a wrist shot. Defensemen Will Sinclair and Blake Tierney recorded the assists.
“Before the third period, I said, ‘You are due for a goal, Trace,’ and he said, ‘Yes, I am,'” Hodge said. “Good shot, good finish.”
Norwell had gone the previous four games without a goal.
Matthew Cole added an empty-net goal from the Thunder’s defensive zone for the 4-1 lead. The puck rolled into the Islanders’ crease and one of their defensemen knocked it into the net.
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