Thunderbirds Edge Moccasins in Overtime Shootout
The Twin City Thunderbirds secured a 4-3 victory over the Monroe Moccasins in front of 3,651 fans.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Hockey
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The Twin City Thunderbirds defeated the Monroe Moccasins in a 4-3 overtime shootout win. This victory improves the Thunderbirds season record to 3-0.
Why it matters
The win maintains the undefeated start for the Twin City Thunderbirds early in the season. The teams are now preparing for a rematch to conclude their weekend series.
Goalie Ayvin Eidsness anchored the defense with 53 saves during the contest. The game remained tied through a scoreless five-minute overtime period before being decided in the third round of the shootout.
The players
Ayvin Eidsness
He is the goaltender for the Twin City Thunderbirds who recorded 53 saves in the victory.
Zach White
He is the Thunderbirds player who scored the deciding goal in the third round of the shootout.
Jon Buttitta
He serves as the head coach for the Twin City Thunderbirds.
Jacob Schnapp
He is a forward for the Twin City Thunderbirds who contributed a goal during regulation play.
The details
Zach White secured the win with the decisive shootout goal after Jacob Schnapp, Zach Papapetros, and Dominic Dumas scored in regulation. The matchup drew a crowd of 3,651 spectators to the Monroe Civic Center.
Timeline
The game took place on October 30, 2026.
The teams play the second game of the series on October 31, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This early-season victory strengthens the Thunderbirds standing as they maintain an undefeated record. The outcome forces the Moccasins to adjust their strategy for the remainder of the weekend series to avoid falling further behind in the standings.
The result moves the Thunderbirds to a 3-0 season record while requiring the Moccasins to secure a regulation win in the next game to split the weekend series. Fans should note the high save count for the goaltender as a potential indicator of defensive pressure in upcoming matchups.
The takeaway
Close games decided by shootouts highlight the importance of goaltender endurance and precision in late-game scenarios. Fans and players alike should prepare for high-intensity adjustments during back-to-back series schedules.
What happens next
The Twin City Thunderbirds and Monroe Moccasins play the second game of their weekend series at the Monroe Civic Center on October 31, 2026, at 8 p.m.
Further reading
For more updates on local sports, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Winston-Salem Journal.
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