Associated Press
12/20/2010 7:59:49 AM

FRANKLIN, TN — Adam Weber posted his best game in net since Halloween Sunday night when TNT bested Thunder in a 5-2 victory. Thunder’s second goal was more than questionable as Weber came up big with a save on a breakaway only to have it signaled as a goal moments later. “Everyone knows that puck didn’t go in. We won 5-1…period,” said Weber post game. With allowing only two goals, Weber improved his GAA to 4.00 on the season and turned in his best performance since posting a shutout on October 31st. He went on to add, “We’re playing good hockey right now going into the two week break. This was a great win defensively for us.”

TNT skated with only 9 skaters due to a last minute roster change which would include forward Brandon Latreille listed as ‘inactive.’ Said newly-appointed ‘interim’ player-coach and GM Jim Fish after the game, “We tried to go with 6 forwards and 3 D for the second period, but just didn’t have the gas. I got upset with Ryan [Latreille] for pulling off a toe drag in the defensive zone and shouldn’t have. I was out of line.” Fish would end up putting the nail in the coffin scoring TNT’s fifth goal with only 2:38 remaining in regulation. Ensuing after the goal were the cheap shots and trash talk that is beginning to become a bit of a standard for Thunder. At the threshold of a bench-clearing melee, the referees decided to call the game and award the victory to TNT two and a half minutes early.

The win moved TNT’s overall record at the halfway point of the season to 9-2-0, the best first half of a season recorded in franchise history. TNT also firmed up their grasp on first place with Sunday night’s victory, recording a league-leading 27 points. Thunder, on the other hand, moved to 6-5-0 with the loss and also dropped a spot in the rankings from third to fourth; TNT holds the advantage in the season series between the two clubs with a 2-1-0 record. The boys will take a two week break for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays approaching, returning Sunday, Jan. 9th to face 5 Holes at 4:25PM. This will be the third meeting with the 5 Holes after the first two have been landslide TNT victories. Beer duty is TBD.

Notes: Forward/defenseman Chris Day (brother of forward Jeff Day) made his TNT debut after being called up due to the recent wave of injuries. …Power play struggles continued for TNT going 1 for 9 with the man advantage Sunday night. …Goaltender Adam Weber received the game puck and along with a standing ovation from his teammates as he exited the locker room for his solid performance.