Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons hosted the first of two games against the Carolina Thunderbirds, locking in the win in regulation, 5-2.
Trailing in the second period after Carolina’s Jon Buttitta scored the game’s first goal at 18:52 in the first period, Justin Macdonald and Alex Storjohann put the River Dragons ahead, 2-1. The second period concluded with a River Dragons lead that was never undone.
The River Dragons exploded in the third period. Austin Daae, Kyle Moore, and Chiwetin Blacksmith extended their lead to 5-1. Only Jan Salak managed to sneak past the Dragons, scoring a short-handed goal at 18:15, concluding the contest with the Dragons up, 5-2.
Columbus went 2 for 4 on the power play against the Thunderbirds, who lead the league in penalty kills.
This contest’s Three Stars of the Game were Alex Storjohann (1 Goal, 1 Assist), Chiwetin Blacksmith (1 Goal, 1 Assist), and Sammy Bernard (.933 SV%).
Chiwetin Blacksmith scored once and made an assist in his debut on the River Dragons roster.
Six River Dragons achieved multiple points during the contest –
Justin MacDonald, Kyle Moore, Alex Storjohann, Austin Daae, and Chiwetin Blacksmith each produced 1 goal and 1 assist, and Cody Wickline produced 2 assists.
The River Dragons will play the Thunderbirds again at home Saturday for the second night of their White Out Weekend at 7:05 pm.
Photos by Toni Rae Hill
