Junior hockey: Bandits capitalize on Thunder’s third-period mistakes

AUBURN — The Twin City Thunder and the Boston Bandits battled for 40 minutes before the Bandits broke the game open with four goals in the third period for a 5-1 victory Friday at Norway Savings Bank Arena.

“We had a great first two periods, and in the third period we had some undisciplined penalties. That didn’t help,” Twin City Thunder coach Doug Friedman said. “Hey, that’s a first-place team. I think our league and our division specifically is really close — every game you have to show up and play 60 minutes. That third period night is what happens if you don’t.”

The Bandits jumped out to a 1-0 lead 35 seconds into the game when Ben Fortin found the back of the net.

Alex Schneider scored for the Thunder to tie the game 10:49 into the period.

“We had some solid goaltending, and we were moving the puck well making good decisions,” Friedman said of the first two periods. We were getting a lot of shots — they have a good goalie in net — we were getting good shots there. Overall, we weren’t having that net front presence that we need.”

After a scoreless second period, the Bandits had an offensive explosion with four goals.

Louis-Philippe made it 2-1 just past the four-minute mark, while Fortin stretched the lead to 3-1 nearly three minutes later. James Gagan scored with under six minutes to play in the game and Kevin Drevitch scored with 3:17 remaining on a power play.