The Twin City Thunder picked up Thursday where they left off on Wednesday.
For the second day in a row, the Thunder defeated the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs, this time 3-2 in a shootout at Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett, New Hampshire.
Twin City defeated New Hampshire 6-3 at Norway Savings Bank Arena on Wednesday.
Thunder coach Dan Hodge said the team is starting to win games they might have lost earlier in the season.
“Earlier in the year, (the opponent) would get up 2-1 and we would kind of not battle back,” Hodge said. “Lately, we are finding ways to tie games and win them.”
Dom Chasse opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season 12:45 into the first period for the Thunder (23-20-4, 50 points). James Tatro had the assist.
Shortly after, the Jr. Monarchs (25-16-7, 57 points) evened the game when Jake McAlpine beat Thunder goalie Trey Miller (29 saves). Former Maine Nordique Bryce Bollman, as well as Joe Gerebi, had the helpers.
The game remained 1-1 until the third period, when Michael Roby scored 7:35 into the stanza, giving the Jr. Monarchs a 2-1 lead.
Trace Norwell forced overtime with his 25th goal of the season nearly at the 13-minute mark, beating Jr. Monarchs goalie Edward Baliotti (31 saves). Defenseman Kadsen Johnson and forward Ben Portner had the assists.
“I thought we got pucks in deep behind their (defense) and forechecked them real hard,” Hodge said. “They got ahead of us 2-1 and we didn’t give up. We had a great forecheck and Norwell went to the net for a goal to tie it. It was a relentless effort.”
Tatro had a breakaway in the overtime session which was stopped by Baliotti.
Norwell had the Thunder’s first goal in the shootout and Chasse the clincher for Twin City. New Hampshire didn’t score in the shootout.
The Thunder are off until Wednesday when the Boston Advantage comes to Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn for a 1 p.m. faceoff.
MONARCHS PLAYERS HEADING TO MAINE DIII SCHOOLS
A handful of Jr. Monarchs are heading north to play college hockey.
Forward Matthew Sullivan will be suiting up for the University of Southern Maine next season. He has 15 goals and 22 assists in 48 games this season.
Bollman is heading to Bowdoin College. The forward has 14 goals and 29 assists in 48 games.
Baliotti is heading to Colby. He has a 7-5-5 record with a 2.67 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.
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