The Adirondack Thunder staved off elimination in Game 5 of the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals. Standouts from Saturday's game.
Despite seeing their two-goal lead evaporate in the second period, the Adirondack Thunder scored twice in the final 20 minutes to top the Florida Everblades 4-2 in the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night. With the win, the Thunder will host Game 6 on Tuesday night with an opportunity to even the series.
Let's look at the standouts from Saturday's Game 5.
Adirondack Thunder
#35 Jeremy Brodeur, G
Brodeur made his first start since Game 4 in the North Division Finals in relief of Isaac Poulter. Despite allowing two goals in the second period to allow Florida to tie the game, Brodeur gave the Thunder exactly what they needed in an elimination game. The 27-year-old turned aside 35 of 37, including all eight in the third period to preserve Adirondack's lead.
#10 Ryan Smith, F
Smith has been red-hot this postseason, but he had been relatively quiet in Games 3 and 4. The Adirondack forward registered just two shots on goal in Saturday's Game 5, but he scored the go-ahead goal and eventual game-winner on a wrister right in front of the Florida net. Smith's other shot came on a batted puck out of mid-air earlier in the game.
#9 Tristan Ashbrook, F
Ashbrook had yet to find the back of the net in this series, but he provided the empty-netter, punching a shot on a faceoff at center ice to seal the win. Ashbrook also finished with a team-high four shots on goal and a +1 plus/minus rating.
Florida Everblades
#2 Cole Moberg, D
Moberg has been excellent all postseason, and Saturday was no different. The Florida blueliner finished with two points and a team-high six shots on goal. Moberg collected the primary assist on the Everblades' first goal before adding his own on a wrister from the point to tie the game before the second-period horn.
#21 Riese Zmolek, D
Zmolek has been putting the puck on net more in this series, and the former Minnesota State standout was rewarded with his first postseason goal. Zmolek opened the scoring with 3:29 left in the second period after walking the puck in along the left wing and ripping a shot into the Adirondack net.