The Twin City Thunder couldn’t build off the momentum of an early goal Monday afternoon.

The Northern Cyclones defeated the Thunder 3-1 in a USPHL National Collegiate Development Conference game at Cyclones Arena in Hudson, New Hampshire.

“We hit a couple of crossbars, we had a couple of breakaways, give their goalie (William Goumas) credit,” Thunder coach Dan Hodge said. “That’s one of the hallmarks of the league, is really good goaltending. We just need to keep battling, and hopefully the pucks will start falling. We need to get more players to the net, and get to (the opponents’ net), and be hungry to find rebounds.”

Goumas stopped 35 shots for the Cyclones.

Marko Giourof factored in all three Cyclones goals, with a goal and two assists. Linemate Paden Hicks had one goal and one assist.

Forward Artem Kazakov gave the Thunder (2-3-1, 5 points) a 1-0 lead early in the first period.

Hodge said the Thunder are most successful moving north and south.

“When we chip it in and start winning foot races, things are usually going right for us,” Hodge said. “We started getting in trouble when we started going east and west with the puck. One time we went east and west, we lost (the puck) and (the Cyclones) put it in the back of our net.”

Cyclones forward Rhett Evjen tied the game at 1-1 in the final minute of the first period by beating Thunder goalie Dane Couture (28 saves).

After a scoreless second period, Hicks gave the Cyclones (4-1-1, 9 points) a 2-1 lead with five minutes remaining in the third.

“It was a broken play, and there was a scramble in front (of the goal),” Hodge said. “Give them credit, they scored the dirty goals in the dirty areas. They go right there and found a rebound. The guy got loose and put it in the back of the net.”

Hicks assisted on Giourof’s goal later in the third to stretch the Cyclones’ lead to 3-1.

The Thunder return to Norway Savings Bank Arena on Wednesday for a 1 p.m. puck drop against the Boston Advantage.

NEWS AND NOTES

The Thunder announced Nate Chickering is the team captain for the 2021-22 season. The alternate captains will be Dom Chasse and Tyler Healey.

Hodge and the assistant coaches voted on the three to be captains.

“Nate has been a great leader for us since day one,” Hodge said. “He was a great leader last year, and we talked about it over the summer about being a leader. He has been really good, and Dom has stepped up as well, leading the guys through example. Tyler Healey, his play speaks for itself, and everybody strives off him. He’s been a great player early on for us this year.”

Before Monday’s game, the Thunder called up forward Tanner Kontir. He leads the Thunder’s Premier League team with eight points (two goals, six assists) in eight games.

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