The Twin City Thunder got back to its game plan Saturday afternoon, and it paid off.
The Thunder used a physical brand of hockey to notch a 3-1 victory over the Northern Cyclones in a USPHL National Collegiate Development Conference contest at Cyclones Arena in Hudson, New Hampshire.
“We wanted a third guy high in the slot, wanted to take away cross-ice passes,” Twin City Thunder coach Dan Hodge said. “We wanted to be physical, and we weren’t very physical last night (in a loss to the Boston Jr. Bruins). We wanted to recommit to be physical and finish the check. We wanted one guy on the forecheck and to get (the puck) in (the offensive zone) strong.”
Tristan Rand scored two goals for the Thunder. He now has 10 goals this season, which is tied with forward Nathan Chickering for the most on the team. Rand has scored at least one goal in three consecutive games.
Lewiston native Dom Chasse put the Thunder up 1-0 with a goal nearly five and half minutes into the second period. Forward Matt Cole and defenseman Lucas Doran had the assists.
Three minutes later, Rand put the Thunder up 2-0, with linemate Ethan Lim recording the assist.
“(Rand) has been playing really well lately, and one of the biggest parts of Tristan’s game is his skating,” Hodge said. “When he has his feet moving, he’s using his speed and creating opportunities for himself.”
The Thunder’s physical play led to six power plays for the Cyclones. Northern’s Eduards Gabdrakhmanov scored on the man advantage to cut the deficit to 2-1 early in the third period.
The Thunder also had six power plays in the game.
Rand added an empty-net goal with 93 seconds remaining in the game.
Nick Bernstein stopped 36 shots and picked up his fifth win of the season for the Thunder. Kristoffer Eberly also made 36 saves for the Cyclones.
The Thunder are back on the road to take on the Boston Advantage on Friday at 2 p.m. and then host the South Shore Kings next Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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