It took 17 games into the 2024-25 season for Chase Brand to get his first pro goal, but it was well worth the wait.
Prior to Wednesday night’s home game against the Worcester Railers, Adirondack Thunder forward Chase Brand didn’t have a professional goal.
Brand, who signed with Adirondack in September, woke up Thursday with one on his stat sheet after a 7-4 comeback victory over the Worcester Railers at Cool Insuring Arena. He would have had a second goal had it not been for a scoring change after the game. Nevertheless, it was Brand’s best night to date wearing the Thunder sweater.
It was the Railers who dominated at first, scoring two goals in the game’s first 5:24 and taking a 3-1 lead in the second.
Brand scored his first pro goal at the 15:20 mark of the middle frame, deflecting a Kurt Gosselin shot on net to cut the Thunder deficit to 3-2. It was the first of a four-goal outburst by Adirondack in the final 4:40 of the period.
After Andre Ghantous put in a backhand shot to tie the game 3-3 at 18:21, Brand was initially credited with a second goal on a tip-in 30 seconds later for a 4-3 Thunder lead. A scoring change, however, led to the goal being credited to Ryan Smith from Ryan Conroy.
Ghantous set up Alex Young on a beautiful pass for his second of the game for a 5-3 lead with 21 seconds left in the period. Smith added an empty-net goal and Zach Bannister scored late to seal the 7-4 victory.
With the win, Adirondack moves their record to 9-7-1 on the season, while the Railers drop to 8-11-1. The Thunder will return home to face the Norfolk Admirals on Friday.
Last season, Brand played in seven ECHL games with the Reading Royals following his college career. The native of Nevis, Minn. skated in 117 games with NCAA (D1) St. Cloud State University and 30 games with NCAA (D1) Augustana University.
Brand registered 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 147 regular-season games. He also appeared in the 2021 NCAA National Championship game.
Brand was brought in for his character in the locker room and to provide the Thunder with forward depth, particularly at center ice. It took 17 games to get that first pro tally, but it was certainly well worth the wait.