GLENS FALLS, NY – March 9, 2024 – The Adirondack Thunder tied the game late and won it in overtime to steal a 4-3 win from the Maine Mariners on Saturday night at the Cool Insuring Arena. Grant Jozefek netted the game-winner midway through the sudden death session to pick up the extra point, as the Mariners settled for three out of four in the weekend series.
Despite a 14-5 shot advantage for the Thunder in the opening period, it was the Mariners taking the 1-0 lead late in the frame. At 15:54, Chase Zieky, attempting to feed a pass to Alex Kile at the back post, deflected it off a pair of Thunder defenders and across the goal line for his 16th of the season. Maine netminder Kyle Keyser played a strong opening period, keeping the Thunder at bay.
After consecutive Mariners penalties early in the 2nd period, a 5-on-3 goal by Adirondack’s Yushiroh Hirano tied the game at 5:34. The Thunder took its first lead of the night at 12:40 when a wrister from the left circle by Jace Isley beat Kyle Keyser’s stick side. The Mariners had the answer, striking in the final minute of the period off a 3-on-2 rush. Tyler Drevitch fed defenseman Ethan Ritchie at 19:26 to make it a 2-2 game headed to the third.
Alex Kile broke the tie with his 29th goal of the season at 8:24 of the third when his backhander in the slot made it behind Jeremy Brodeur. A too many men on the ice penalty against the Mariners with 1:54 to go gave the Thunder a 6-on-4 and Shane Harper shoveled in the game-tying goal with 1:20 to play. The goal was reviewed for potential goaltender interference but was upheld.
Jozefek ended the game with a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle at 3:28 of overtime, taking a feed from Matt Stief. Keyser stopped 38 of 42 Adirondack shots in the losing effort. Brodeur stopped 26/29 to earn the win.
The Mariners (23-26-7-0) begin a six-game homestand next Friday, with “World Record Night” at 7:15 PM, against Adirondack once again. It’s the first game of back-to-back Thee Dollar Deweys “Threekends.” The Reading Royals come to town on Saturday at 6 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. Single game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale at MarinersOfMaine.com or at the Hammond Lumber Company Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena. More information on ticket packages and group discounts can be found by calling 833-GO-MAINE or visiting the Mariners front office at 94 Free St. in Portland. The 2023-2024 season is presented by Hannaford to Go.
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