The Thunder have taken over the state of Delaware by storm, after their first home game was a sell out. Fast forward a few months, and the new hockey team in the small town of Harrington, Delaware was 2-12 to start their first season.
This young Thunder team came into the Danville Dashers game on a high after a good week of practice, as they were stoked to play in front their home crowd once again. They looked to get their season back on track, with a big “W” against the Dashers.
Fortunately, the Thunder had their legs early in this one, as it appeared netminder Aaron Taylor would have a fairly easy night in net. He was phenomenal, as the Thunder literally beat up the Dashers 5-3. For the Thunder’s efforts, they had five fights tonight, and the fans were in this game from start to finish.
WARM-UPS
Aaron Taylor skates enters the ice like a bolt of lightning. Only one shooter scored on him during 1-on-1 drills, and that was Ryan Marker over the right shoulder of Taylor.
Anton Kalinin
The Thunder are hoping to become a consistent hockey team this season. Getting off to a good start early in the season was a must for this young bunch, but things haven’t turned out that way. Enter Kalinin to provide the Thunder with a more scoring punch.
Kalinin is still trying to get his bearings with the Thunder following a trade a few months ago. Well, Kalinin potted the game winner tonight for the Thunder’s third victory of the season. He adds speed, and has a wicked wrist shot to boot. Kalinin made his presence known offensively in this one against the Dashers.
Charlie Pens
The Thunder are hoping to become a consistent hockey team this season. Getting off to a good start early in the season was a must for this young bunch, but things haven’t turned out that way. Enter Thunder Captain Pens to provide the Thunder with a more scoring punch.
Pens is a leader on the Thunder blue line. He plays a 200ft game, stands opponents up at the blue line, and literally beats them up. Pens sustained a broken nose earlier in the season, and tonight he literally beat up AJ Tesoriero. Pens said Tesoriero may not have been ready for the fight, “Oh well, that’s what happens when you swing your stick at me, and tap me.”
Aaron Taylor
The young prized possession of the Thunder in Taylor was solid. He registered a 4-3 victory on 43 shots faced. It’s crazy to know that Taylor told me before the game in warm-ups, “I’m going to get this W tonight.” Well, he did just that, and earned a .930 Save Percentage for his efforts.
Ryan Marker and Brandon Contratto
Both of these players are turning out to be a leaders for this Thunder team that needed some direction to get back on the right track for their season. The 25-year-old in Marker has now tallied seventeen goals, and chipped in fifteen assists on the season in just fifteen games played. He tallied the Thunders first goal of the night, and an empty netter to go along with an apple. Not too bad, just a three point night.
Contratto has tallied six goals, and dished out fifteen apples for the season in thirteen games played. Like Marker, Contratto just has a knack for the net. He tallied an assist on the first goal of the night by Marker.
The Fans
The fans were insane from start to finish. They really made the game fun, and they love the rough stuff. My gosh when there’s a fight everyone stands, cheers, and they love to see their Thunder player win the bout.
Let’s hope the Thunder can get back on start a two game winning streak, as they face the Danville Dashers again, with 7:05 pm start time at the Thunder Dome.
Photo Credit: The Barn Creative
Is this new Delaware team affiliated with the Flyers in some way? How were the players on the team chosen?
They are not affiliated with the Flyers, but we cover them. The majority of our writers live near the rink, and it gives them coverage. Aaron Taylor the goalie played eith Morgan Frost in pick up league though.