Sentinels Come from Behind to Douse the Northern Lights

There has been a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding the Indiana Sentinels heading into the new season. More veterans on the roster, talented rookies coming aboard, and a solid core of players returning from last year. Everett Thompson put the work in over the offseason to make this team not just better, but a competitive team against any FPHL team.

In opening game of the FPHL season, the Indiana Sentinels took on the Minnesota Northern Lights for the first game in their franchise history. The Northern Lights came to town as one of many teams who were hit hard by the visa issues that are running through the FPHL, so it was difficult to get read on how they would match up against a much-improved Indiana Sentinels squad.

The Northern Lights got out to a hot start just 39 seconds into the game thanks to a shot from Declan Conway coming down the near wing that escaped the blocker side of John Werber.

Conway would get another, this time on the powerplay just under halfway through the period. He received a perfect pass from Kylow Monkman and had a wide-open tap in to give the Northern Lights a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.

The Sentinels found their game in the second period and set up shop inside the offensive zone for a good portion of the period. They were finally rewarded when a David MacDonald shot was redirected by Aaron Shahin for the Sentinels’ first goal of the season.

It would stay 2-1 for the remainder of the 2nd period and nearly halfway through the 3rd when David MacDonald received a perfect set up pass from Thomas Miller. MacDonald had space to walk in and wired a perfect shot, elbow diagonal and in to tie the game at two.

“It was a great setup,” said MacDonald. “They make it easy. We already all have great chemistry. I’m excited to see how we grow together.

Three and a half minutes later, the Sentinels took their first lead of the game after a dominating shift where they were able to get a line change inside the offensive zone. Eventually the puck found Ryan Brow who let go of a seeing eye shot that beat Matt Lenz on the glove side.

That goal was a very telling goal for the Sentinels who struggled to find ways to convert on opportunities when they dominated shifts. In their first game of the season, they were able to do just that showing this team is different.

“I think that shows the buy in from these guys. Shifts like that where you wear a team down, get a wholesale line change and score… every team strives for that to happen,” remarked Everett Thompson.

Aaron Shahin put the icing on the cake with his second of the game, an empty netter to seal the deal. Shahin had scored only one goal last season. He eclipsed that total tonight in game number one.

Although, the Sentinels pulled out an exciting victory, Everett Thompson knows there’s much to improve upon.

“We have a lot to clean up. Too many turnovers, and too many pucks thrown at nobody. I think there’s a lot of things to look at. We just needed to get that first one out of the way so we can really look at it.”

The Sentinels wrap up the weekend series against the Northern Lights tomorrow night at 7:30 pm at the Hamilton Ice Arena.

If you cannot be there, we will have all the coverage for you on the Sentinels Hockey Network on YouTube. The Body Armor Pre-Game Show starts at 7:15pm.