Enforcers Take Battle of Top Two

By Jonathan Kliment 

Elmira, NY - Entering Sunday afternoon, the Carolina Thunderbirds and the Elmira Enforcers had both gone 1-1 on the weekend. In a battle of the top teams it was the Enforcers that came away with a 3-2 overtime victory in front of a great Sunday afternoon crowd of 3,115.

The first period started off with a bang as Ahmed Mahfouz scored at just 1:18 in for his 23rd straight game with a point. The shot came off of Christian Pavlas for Elmira's Captain to put right over the Thunderbirds netminder. The rest of the period would go back and forth with shots on goal in favor of the Thunderbirds, 13-8, but the Enforcers led 1-0 at intermission. 

The Enforcers had two big penalties against them early in the second period, but the penalty kill unit did their job. When they got their chance on the power play it only took 16 seconds for the Enforcers to cash in, as Glen Patterson scored on a loose puck in the crease for a 2-0 lead. Carolina would not be deterred though, and Peter Panacek buried one by Cody Porter off a faceoff that brought it to 2-1 late in the frame.

Michael Bunn beat Porter early in the third period to bring the game to a tie, and neither side was able to claim victory in 60 minutes. 

It took only 20 seconds of overtime for Stepan Timofeyev to rip one by the league leading goaltender for a 3-2 victory. If the win wasn't exciting enough, this was first time the Enforcers have ever defeated the Carolina Thunderbirds.  

The Enforcers will be back in action for another three-game series at First Arena next weekend when the Danville Dashers come to town. Get your tickets now by calling (607) 734-PUCK.

Photo credit: Curtis Berleue Photography