(Photo courtesy of the Halifax Thunderbirds Instagram Page)
The Halifax Thunderbirds (2-0) visited the Buffalo Bandits (1-1) at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
Both teams were successful in their opening week match-ups. Buffalo beat Georgia in a hard fought battle, while Warren Hill made history in the Thunderbirds victory. Hill only surrendered two goals as Halifax soundly defeated the Oshawa FireWolves 11-2.
The goaltending match-up had Warren Hill in net for the Thunderbirds facing Matt Vinc in net for the Bandits.
Buffalo got off to a good start on a pair of goals from Dhane Smith, and even though Halifax would tie the game, penalties would hurt them throughout the quarter. The Bandits scored three more in the first, two with the man advantage to lead 5-2 after one.
The middle quarters showcased both Matt Vinc and Warren Hill in their respective nets. Both goalies had strong showings, keeping their teams neck and neck heading to the fourth.
Down 7-5, Halifax finally was able to solve Matt Vinc, scoring three unanswered goals to take the lead. Josh Byrne would tie the game with 3:09 remaining setting up an exciting finish. Clarke Petterson thought he had a last second buzzer beater, but upon review, it was just after the final horn. After regulation the game was tied 8-8.
In overtime it only took 0:26 seconds. Clarke Petterson, on a great individual effort, beat Matt Vinc on a fake, then shot to the shortside for the 9-8 Thunderbirds victory.
To The Game:
Dhane Smith made his presence felt immediately with a pair of goals in the first 2:06. The first was off a Ryan Benesch pass at 1:33, followed by an outside blast converting a Josh Byrne feed 0:33 seconds later.
Halifax stormed back when Dawson Theede scored on the power-play unassisted at 2:59, followed by Jason Knox with an absolute howitzer off a Ryan Terefenko pass at 3:41.
Penalty trouble would bite the Thunderbirds. Ian MacKay scored his 100th career goal from in close off a Dhane Smith pass at 10:52 on the power-play, followed by Ryan Benesch also scoring on the power-play at 12:08. Josh Byrne added a late goal to put the Bandits up by three.
After one quarter, Buffalo 5 Halifax 2.
Second Quarter:
Dawson Theede converted a Max Wilson pass to open the second quarter scoring at 5:30, but Josh Byrne answered with a beauty off a Dhane Smith pass at 6:46.
Clarke Petterson would again get the Thunderbirds within two, blasting a Randy Staats pass past Matt Vinc at 11:37.
At the half, Buffalo 6 Halifax 4.
Third Quarter:
After almost ten minutes of end to end action, Dhane Smith finally beat Warren Hill with a high to low shot off a Josh Byrne pass on the power-play at 9:19, but Dawson Theede’s third of the game kept the Thunderbirds close.
After three quarters, Buffalo 7 Halifax 5.
Fourth Quarter:
Halifax finally was able to solve Matt Vinc in this quarter. Clarke Petterson opened the scoring with a blast from the outside off a Ryan Terefenko pass at 5:33, followed by Jason Knox with his second of the game to tie it at 7:47.
Cody Jamieson found the back of the net with a bounced shot off a Dawson Theede pass to take the lead at 8:19, but Josh Byrne answered with a low to low laser off a Dhane Smith feed at 11:51.
The Thunderbirds thought they had the game won when Clarke Petterson scored at the buzzer, but on review, it was deemed in after the final horn had sounded.
After regulation, Halifax 8 Buffalo 8.
Overtime:
Jake Withers won the opening faceoff passing to Cody Jamieson. Jamieson found Clarke Petterson who, on a beautiful individual effort, made no mistake beating Matt Vinc to the shortside to give Halifax the victory.
Final score, Halifax 9 Buffalo 8.
The Three Stars:
1. Clarke Petterson
2. Dhane Smith
3. Dawson Theede
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored the Bandits 53-40.
- Halifax won the faceoff battle 13-8.
- The loose ball battle went to Buffalo 71-57.
- The Thunderbirds went 1 for 4 on the power-play.
- Buffalo went 3 for 5 on the power-play.
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