Thunder Win Against The cross Town Rivals

EDMONTON, AB (November 5, 2021) – The Concordia Thunder welcome the NAIT Ooks to Clareview arena for their last exhibition home game. A hard-fought game from both teams with lots of back and forth play ended with an overtime win for the Thunder. 

The first period consisted of hard back and forth play from each team. The NAIT Ooks started the scoring within the first 5 minutes of the game. Concordia kept up with play and snuck one by the NAIT goal tender with 1:30 left in the first. The first goal by the Thunder was scored by  #8 Bandon Wallis, assisted by  #9 Matt Benko.

An exciting second period saw 2 goals from the Thunder, but NAIT answered back with three goals of their own. The first goal of the period was scored, unassisted, by Thunders #20 Austin Schellenberg. A race to the net resulted in a NAIT tripping penalty and a successful penalty shot taken by Thunder #21 Tyler Benko. Although, Thunder lead with shots on net, NAIT finished the period with three goals taking the lead 4-3. 

The third period started with some quick play from both teams. Tough battling in the offensive zone landed NAIT a goal to take the lead to 5-3. The Thunder responded with physical play and a goal from #3 Seth Summers assisted by #8 Brandon Wallis. The Thunder continued to work hard and tied the game with goal from #28 Charlie Gawlicki assisted by #10 Curtis Peck. The NAIT Ooks responded taking the lead back with a quick goal. With 5 minutes left in the third period the game was heating up. The Thunder pushed it into overtime with a goal from #8 Brandon Wallis, assisted by #3 Seth Summers and #21 Tyler Benko with 1:22 left in the game. 

Four on four overtime ended with a big win for Concordia. The final goal was scored by #20 Austin Schellenberg, assisted by #4 Darren Gisti, and #18 Peter Tomaias. 

Thunder forward Chasetan Braid had some words after the game "It was a big character win tonight for the boys. It has been a while since we came in and took it to NAIT so the start of the season is good and we are excited to get the regular season going."

Head Coach Joey Bouchard commented after the game "I thought we had a big character win tonight. Our guys really played hard. Our forecheck was very solid. We got into a little bit of trouble with turnovers but overall, our guys battled hard. NAIT is a good hockey team, and we hung in there with them. In the later part of the third period and overtime we dominated. So, credit to our guys who deserve this win, and we will be ready for tomorrow's game."