Thunderbirds rally for thrilling 4-3 shootout victory

MONROE, LA. –The Twin City Thunderbirds erased a two-goal deficit during Friday’s 3rd period to earn a thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 shootout victory over the Monroe Moccasins at the Monroe Civic Center. Jacob Schnapp, Zach Papapetros, and Dominic Dumas each netted a goal for the Thunderbirds. Zach White’s third-round shootout goal sealed the victory for Twin City. Ayvin Eidsness made fifty-three saves as the Thunderbirds improved to 3-0-0 on the 2026-2027 season.

Monroe’s Jared Christy opened the scoring with an even-strength goal at 5:26 of Friday’s 1st period. Austin Pick and Andrew Bellant each collected an assist on the scoring play. Blake Keller doubled the Moccasins’ advantage with an even-strength goal at 15:06, assisted by Andrew Durham and Tommy Stang. Jacob Schnapp put the Thunderbirds on the scoreboard just ninety seconds later, netting an even-strength goal at 16:36. Dominic Dumas and Jack Johansen each notched an assist on Schnapp’s goal. Twin City was outshot by a 21-8 margin during Friday’s opening period, and entered the 2nd period trailing 2-1.

Bradley Richardson netted the only goal of Friday’s middle period to restore Monroe’s two-goal lead. Richardson’s even-strength goal was scored at 4:15, and was assisted by Marcus Ortiz and Frank Schumacher. Ayvin Eidsness held the Moccasins scoreless for the remainder of the matchup, keeping the Thunderbirds within striking distance. Twin City was outshot by a 16-14 margin during the 2nd period, and Friday’s final period began with Monroe leading 3-1.

Zach Papapetros pulled the Thunderbirds within one goal with a powerplay goal just fifty-four seconds into Friday’s 3rd period. Zach White and Jacob Schnapp each collected an assist on the scoring play. Dominic Dumas tied the game with an even-strength goal at 12:56 of the period, assisted by Jack Johansen and Jacob Schnapp. Dumas’ goal completed Twin City’s comeback from a two-goal deficit, and sent the matchup into overtime tied at three goals apiece. The Thunderbirds were outshot by an 18-12 margin during the final period.

Neither team scored during the five-minute overtime period, sending Friday night’s battle to a shootout. Dominic Dumas scored in the opening round to give Twin City the advantage, while Monroe failed to convert on either of its first two attempts. After Jacob Schnapp was unsuccessful in the second round, Zach White scored in the third round to secure the 4-3 victory for the Thunderbirds.

Ayvin Eidsness backstopped the Thunderbirds to victory in a fifty-three-save-on-fifty-six-shot performance, playing all sixty-five minutes in net. Bryn Sommerfeldt took the shootout loss for Monroe after making thirty-one saves on thirty-four shots through regulation and overtime. Zach White earned 1st Star of the Game honors, with Monroe’s Blake Keller and Bradley Richardson receiving 2nd and 3rd Star honors, respectively. Friday’s contest was played in front of 3,651 fans at the Monroe Civic Center.

The Thunderbirds converted on one of their four powerplay opportunities, while holding the Moccasins without a goal on two chances with the man advantage. Jack Johansen collected two assists, while Dominic Dumas recorded a goal and an assist in addition to his shootout conversion.

Twin City and Monroe conclude their two-game weekend series tomorrow night at the Monroe Civic Center. Puck drop for Saturday’s rematch is scheduled for 8:05pm ET. Tomorrow’s game will be streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, with coverage also available on WTOB Radio and Triad Talk Network (TTN).

Tickets for all Twin City Thunderbirds regular season home games at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased online at tcbirds.com, wsfairgrounds.com, ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena Box Office at (336) 774-8880. For Season Ticket and Group Ticket information, contact Holli Carmin at (336) 774-8882 or hcarmin@tcbirds.hockey.