Game Story

Glens Falls, NY — The Worcester Railers and Adirondack Thunder returned to regular season action after a few days off for the All-Star Break. The Thunder and Railers met for the sixth matchup of the season at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls on Friday.

Evan Buitenhuis made the start for Worcester. Adirondack’s Evan Cormier made his ECHL debut after being assigned by the Binghamton Devils earlier in the week. Bo Brauer took shifts on the blue line as the Railers dressed all five of their five healthy defensemen. Tommy Panico (2nd), Josh Holmstrom (9th), Ryan Hitchcock (3rd) scored for Worcester.

Tommy Panico set the tone with his second goal of the season midway through the first period. Panico caught a Tyler Barnes’ rebound between the circles and hit it above the pads of Cormier, eventually making its way to the top right corner of the net for the only goal of the opening frame. Railers had the only man advantage in the period with Will Smith sitting for two minutes on a high-sticking call at 14:16. Shots were 11-9 Worcester at the end of one.

Worcester’s lead got extended at 5:44 in the second period on a one-timer by Josh Holmstrom which was set-up by Connor Doherty, destined to the net from the left circle. In the midst of a line change, Ryan Hitchcock received a pass as he skated into the zone, made a quick shot from the left circle and quickly shot in his rebound at the right circle to put the Railers up by three at 10:18 in the middle period. Playing some of their best hockey so far this season the Railers led 3-0, outshooting Adirondack 25-19 through forty minutes.

Jake Linhart scored on a one-timer from between the circles with the 5-on-3 advantage. Matt Schmalz was serving his second penalty of the night and Ryan MacKinnon was in the box for tripping. Ryan MacKinnon dropped the gloves in a quick bout with Blake Thompson that ended as Thompson pulled MacKinnon down. Adirondack got back to within one after a controversial goal by Conor Riley that was batted in on a missed call for a high stick. With 1:15 remaining in regulation, Evan Cormier was pulled for the extra attacker. Unable to keep the puck in the Railers zone, the Railers gained control and scored the empty netter to seal the win for Worcester. The goal was scored by Barry Almeida, which was his 100th career goal in ECHL regular season action.

The replay on Conor Riley’s goal showed his stick was clearly over the crossbar (and over the helmet of Evan Buitenhuis) but was not called off by referee Alex Garon. This call would not be reviewed even if the arena had video review, but should add another tally for bad officiating this season.

The Three Stars of the Game were:

  1. Ryan Hitchcock (Worcester) – goal, assist
  2. Mike Szmatula (Adirondack) – 2 assists
  3. Josh Holmstrom (Worcester) – goal

Worcester Railers (18-17-3-2) look to continue their momentum with two more games this weekend. With 41 points, they still remain at the bottom of a very close north division. Third place is within reach, held by Brampton Beast with Maine in fourth with 43 and Reading in fifth with 42.

The Railers and Thunder will travel to Worcester tomorrow for the second game of each team’s 3-in-3 weekend. Puck drops at 7 PM from the DCU Center.

Box Score

Scoring 1 2 3 T
Worcester Railers 1 2 1 4
Adirondack Thunder 0 0 2 2
Shots 1 2 3 T
Worcester Railers 11 14 10 35
Adirondack Thunder 9 10 7 26

 

Railers Roster # Name G A +/- SH PIM
G 34 E. Buitenhuis 0 0 0 0 0
G 35 M. Gillam 0 0 0 0 0
D 2 T. Panico 1 0 +1 2 0
D 4 R. MacKinnon 0 0 +2 2 4
D 6 M. Cornell 0 0 +2 1 0
F 7 T. Barnes 0 1 +2 1 0
F 8 N. Sorkin 0 0 0 3 0
F 10 I. Kosorenkov 0 1 +2 3 0
F 11 D. Willick 0 0 0 1 0
F 12 J. Holmstrom 1 0 0 5 2
F 15 B. Brauer 0 0 0 0 0
F 17 M. Schmalz 0 1 +1 1 9
F 19 B. Almeida 1 0 +2 3 0
D 20 D. Quenneville 0 0 -1 2 0
F 27 R. Hitchcock 1 1 +3 5 0
D 28 C. Doherty 0 1 +1 3 0
F 37 T. Kelley 0 1 +1 2 0
F 51 Y. Turcotte 0 0 0 1 0
Team:
Totals: 4 6 16 35 15
No Name Min SH SVS GA
34 E. Buitenhuis 59:52 26 24 2
Totals: 59:52 26 24 2
Thunder Roster # Name G A +/- SH PIM
G 1 A. Sakellaropoulos 0 0 0 0 0
G 40 E. Cormier 0 0 0 0 0
F 2 M. Salhany 0 0 -1 1 0
D 4 M. Sdao 0 0 -1 3 5
D 6 M. Cleland 0 1 +1 1 0
D 7 J. Linhart 1 0 0 3 0
D 8 B. Thompson 0 0 -2 1 2
F 9 J. Edwardh 0 1 -4 0 0
F 10 C. Bradshaw 0 0 -1 0 0
F 15 J. Henry 0 0 -3 3 0
F 17 A. Carrier 0 0 -1 1 0
F 18 W. Smith 0 0 0 0 2
F 22 B. Ward 0 0 -3 0 2
D 25 K. Lough 0 0 -1 4 2
D 37 D. Bergin 0 0 -3 3 0
F 44 C. Riley 1 0 +1 5 0
F 51 J. Reichert 0 0 0 0 0
F 91 M. Szmatula 0 2 +1 1 0
Team:
Totals: 2 4 -17 26 13
No Name Min SH SVS GA
40 E. Cormier 59:35 34 31 3
Empty Net 1 1
Totals: 59:35 35 31 4
P T Player M Offense Time
1st H W. Smith 2.00 High-sticking – minor (60.2) 14:16
2nd V J. Holmstrom 2.00 Tripping – minor (57.2) 11:38
3rd H K. Lough 2.00 Tripping – minor (57.2) 3:40
3rd V M. Schmalz 2.00 Unsportsmanlike conduct – minor (75.2) 5:51
3rd V M. Schmalz 2.00 Boarding – minor (41.2) 5:51
3rd H B. Ward 2.00 Unsportsmanlike conduct – minor (75.2) 5:51
3rd V R. MacKinnon 2.00 Tripping – minor (57.2) 7:08
3rd V R. MacKinnon 2.00 Unsportsmanlike conduct – minor (75.2) 9:48
3rd H B. Thompson 2.00 Unsportsmanlike conduct – minor (75.2) 9:48
3rd V M. Schmalz 5.00 Fighting – Major (46.14) 15:16
3rd H M. Sdao 5.00 Fighting – Major (46.14) 15:16

Notes

  • Railers Injuries: Malcolm Gould, Kyle McKenzie, Tyler Mueller, and Alex Vanier
  • Railers Scratches: Woody Hudson
  • One game wonder Nick Roberto was shipped to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits earlier today for future considerations. In his only game for Worcester on January 12, he had no other stat than a single shot on goal.
  • Bo Brauer reprised his role as a defenseman on Friday. Railers were short a healthy defenseman and much like the Railers’ last game, he stepped in and took shifts as a defenseman. Alex Vanier and Tyler Mueller are considered day-to-day after being injured in Saturday’s game against Newfoundland. Railers could sign a quick rental player if neither player is ready to play Saturday.
  • Mitch Gillam mentioned on the broadcast that he dealt with three flight cancellations when trying to get back to Worcester from Detroit after the all-star game. He took about an eleven-hour drive to Worcester with his father in time for practice on Thursday.
  • As mentioned in the pre-game notes post, home teams will wear lighter (usually white) jerseys and away teams will wear darker jerseys for the remainder of the regular season aside for when teams wear alternate jerseys such as a third or specialty jersey.
  • For up-to-date news on all things Worcester Hockey, Like us on Facebook at Woo Hockey – Worcester Hockey News, Follow us on Twitter @WooHockeyNews, and join our Facebook Group – Worcester Railers Fan Club.

Railers Lines (Observed by order in which they appeared):

LW C RW
Forward Line 1  B. Almeida #19 “A”  R. Hitchcock #27  T. Barnes #7
Forward Line 2  J. Holmstrom #12 “A”  I. Kosorenkov #10  N. Sorkin #8
Forward Line 3  T. Kelley #37 / Y. Turcotte #51  D. Willick #11  M. Schmalz #17
LD RD
Defense Line 1  M. Cornell #6 “C”  C. Doherty #28
Defense Line 2  T. Panico #2  R. MacKinnon #4
Defense Line 3  D. Quenneville #20  B. Brauer #15
G
Starting Goaltender  Evan Buitenhuis #34
Backup Goaltender  Mitch Gillam #35

Highlights