Fessenden Leads Adirondack To Win Over Royals, Wins Fight

Friday turned out to be Adirondack Thunder goaltender David Fessenden’s lucky night. He not only won the game, but the fight as well.

Fessenden stopped 23 of 24 shots and dropped the gloves with Reading netminder Keith Petruzzelli, and the Thunder came away with a 4-1 road victory at Santander Arena.

Tag Bertuzzi led the Adirondack offense with two goals on the night. The Thunder struck twice in the opening period to take a 2-0 lead into the dressing room at first intermission.

Patrick Polino got the scoring started with a wrist shot from the left circle past Petruzzelli at the 9:21 mark. It was Polino’s third goal of the season, with Andre Ghantous and Grant Loven picking up assists.

Bertuzzi took advantage of a Royals turnover at 15:25, firing a shot from the hash marks over the left shoulder of Petruzzelli for a 2-0 Adirondack lead. The goal was unassisted and Bertuzzi’s third of the year.

A scrum broke out just as the period ended, with the two goaltenders dropping the gloves at center ice.

When the two teams came out for the second period, Vinnie Purpura replaced Petruzzelli in net.

The period began with Adirondack on the power play, and Bertuzzi scored his second goal of the night 1:11 into the frame for a 3-0 lead. Polino and Brendan Less picked up helpers.

The Thunder’s final goal came at 2:29 of the middle frame. James Marooney rifled a shot from the left point that was tipped in by Zach Bannister for his third of the season.

Todd Skirving finally put Reading on the board in the third period, but the Thunder held firm for the 4-1 final to move their record to 11-10-1. The Royals fall to 8-15-4 with the loss.

The two teams won’t have to wait long for a rematch, which takes place in Glens Falls on Saturday night. Thunder fans will be treated to Ugly Sweater Night, and Puck drop is set for 7 Pm ET.