Adirondack Thunder goaltender Isaac Poulter's 54 saves in Game 3's overtime win against the Norfolk Admirals set a new franchise record for saves made in a playoff game.
While Ryan Smith's goal with 1:41 left in overtime was the headline from the Adirondack Thunder's Game 3 win against the Norfolk Admirals, it was Isaac Poulter who established a new franchise record.
The Adirondack goaltender allowed one goal on 55 shots, making his 54 saves a new team record for most saves made in a playoff game.
Poulter bested former Thunder netminder Drew Fielding, who held the record for six years after making 53 saves on May 7, 2018 in a three-overtime win against Manchester. Fielding also earned a 52-save effort five days later, holding the top two spots in franchise history, which Poulter surpassed both.
Poulter allowed a combined ten goals between Game 1 and 2, and questions arose about whether he would, or perhaps should, watch from the bench in Game 3.
"I thought he was fine," Thunder head coach Pete MacArthur said following Game 2. "Redirection goals [...] He's a great goalie. It's not his fault."
MacArthur also noted that the team never considered turning to backup goaltender Jeremy Brodeur.
"No, to be honest with you," he said. "(Poulter) is playing unreal. The goals (in Game 1) weren't his problem either, and he hasn't had a lack of energy."
It's safe to say that Poulter bounced back in a big way on Wednesday night. The Adirondack netminder was under siege all night, especially in the second period, where he faced 24 shots from the Admirals and only one went in.
Poulter notably made consecutive saves late in the second period on a hard shot from the point before stopping the second-chance opportunity. He also turned aside a 2-on-1 rush with just over one minute left in regulation to force the overtime period.
Adirondack trails Norfolk 2-1 in the series and will need Poulter to come up big in Game 4 on Thursday against an Admirals team that has averaged 39 shots per game through the first three contests.
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