The Junior Bruins built a lead with late-period goals and held on to defeat the Twin City Thunder 4-2 in a USPHL NCDC New England Division game at New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on Friday afternoon.
Savante Strandberg scored with five seconds remaining in the opening period to give the Bruins (14-14-1, 29 points) a 1-0 lead.
“We came out flat in the first and we had to claw and get back,” Thunder coach Dan Hodge said. “We couldn’t find the energy tonight. We have a chance to get back at it tomorrow and hopefully get our second win on the weekend.”
After a Jake Terra tally in the middle of the second period for the Bruins, Jackson Delleo beat Thunder (8-17-2, 18 points) goalie Ludwig Svensson (33 saves) with 1:05 left in the middle frame, putting the Junior Bruins ahead 3-0.
“I thought in the second period we did a good job carrying the play and the pace, got up on them on the shots,” Hodge said. “Again, we got caught watching defensively and they found some guys on the back door.”
The Thunder made a run in the third period. Rookie defenseman Leo Mantenuto scored six minutes into the stanza. Edvin Robertsson cut the deficit to 3-2 in the final five minutes.
“Leo scores another goal today, and Robertsson scores his second goal in two games,” Hodge said. “I was happy we didn’t give up and they worked hard. We just didn’t get the result.”
Coleman Jenkins potted an empty-net goal with 10 seconds remaining for the Bruins for a 4-2 lead.
Liam Bard had a team-high two assists for the Bruins, while Stanley Bright had two helpers for the Thunder. Cullen McCormick and Patrick Last also had assists in the loss.
Jonathan Olson made 34 saves in the win.
Twin City returns home Saturday to take on the Islanders Hockey Club at 7:30 p.m. at Norway Savings Bank Arena.
The Thunder defeated the Islanders 3-2 on Thursday.
“We know the Islanders are going to come in and get some revenge after dropping two (points) yesterday,” Hodge said. “We will have to be ready to go.”
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