The Crocs snatched a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Thunder in a game that saw all the scoring packed into frantic bursts, culminating in a wild final period. After a back-and-forth first period that ended 2-1 for the visitors, the game settled into a tense standoff in the second before exploding in the third. The Crocs' ability to answer every time the Thunder pushed back proved to be the difference, with two third-period goals—including the eventual game-winner from Thomas O'Reilly—sealing the road win.
The opening frame was a high-octane affair. Matthew Gunderson got the Crocs on the board first, assisted by Micah Thomas, before Eniko Moise doubled the lead. The Thunder’s Tyson Leung answered back, cutting the deficit to one before the period ended. The second period saw just a single tally, with O'Reilly scoring his first of the night to make it 3-1, assisted by Sebastian White. That goal would prove crucial, as it gave the Crocs a two-goal cushion that the Thunder would twice overcome but never surpass.
The third period was a roller coaster. O'Reilly struck again, this time with help from Ryan Berube, to push the lead to 4-1 and seemingly put the game out of reach. But the Thunder showed tremendous fight. Ian Hendry, with help from Camden Meadows, answered back just two minutes later. Then, with time winding down, James Mich scored an unassisted beauty to pull the Thunder within one. The home team poured on the pressure, but the Crocs held firm, weathering the storm to secure the win. Crocs goalie Hoxley Schmidt, despite facing 18 shots, made every save when it mattered most, while Thunder netminder Keir Patterson was peppered with 14 shots, including four that found the back of the net in a losing effort. A late penalty on the Thunder’s Calvin Pavelich for tripping dashed any last-ditch hopes of an equalizer.
Raptors
