Twin City Thunder coach Dan Hodge went back to goalie Christopher Jackson for Friday’s showcase game.

Jackson only allowed one goal in the Thunder’s 3-1 victory over the Mercer Chiefs in a USPHL NCDC game at the Presidents’ Day Showcase in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Jackson, who had 33 saves Friday, earned a 1-0 shutout on Thursday against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights.

Jackson had a two-week stretch where he didn’t start prior to Thursday’s game.

“These goalies are so tuned in on what they are doing, and he was excited about playing,” Thunder coach Dan Hodge said. “He’s in great shape and in great mental shape. I didn’t have any hesitation putting him back in today.”

The Thunder (20-19-3, 43 points) were down 1-0 for the first half of the game, but Lewiston’s Dominic Chasse evened the game in the middle of the second period with an unassisted effort.

Advertisement

Pierce Blaeser and James Tatro had the assists.

Shortly after Chasse’s tally, Trace Norwell scored his team-leading 21st goal, giving the Thunder a 2-1 lead. Nolan Leonard had the helper.

Richard Davis scored early in the third period on the power play, giving the Thunder some breathing room. Norwell and Liam Hodgson set the goal up.

Twin City went 1 for 2 on the man-advantage and the Chiefs were 0 for 4.

“We had more penalty kills from our units and they bear down and got two big kills in the last 10 minutes in the third,” Hodge said. “They killed a 6-on-5 at the end. It was a good team effort all around.”

The only goal Jackson gave up came in the first period when Nicholas Babbie found the back of the net.

“If you ask him, he probably thinks he should have had it,” Hodge said. “It is what it is, but he bounced back and shut the door after that.”

Peter Pirone had 28 saves for the Chiefs (24-16-4, 48 points).

The Thunder wrap up the showcase at the Foxboro Sports Center on Saturday when they take on the Utica Jr. Comets (16-22-4) at 10:40 a.m.

Related Headlines

Comments are no longer available on this story