Front Range Thunder Rallies to Eliminate Arvada Fire, Advances to Rocky Mountain South Final

📅 Date: March 7-8, 2025
📍 Venue: Pepsi Roller Sports Arena
🔢 Final Score (Game 1): Front Range Thunder 3, Arvada Fire 1
🔢 Final Score (Game 2): Front Range Thunder 6, Arvada Fire 5

Series Recap

The Front Range Thunder overcame an early series deficit and pulled off an incredible Game 2 comeback to eliminate the Arvada Fire and secure a spot in the Rocky Mountain South Division Final.

Game 1 saw a slow start offensively, with both teams playing a tight defensive game. The Fire struck first, but Front Range exploded in the second period, scoring three unanswered goals to secure a 3-1 win.

In Game 2, the Fire came out swinging, putting up four second-period goals and building a commanding 5-1 lead. However, the Thunder stormed back, scoring five straight goals, including the game-winner from Trey Aragon, to complete an unbelievable 6-5 comeback win.

With the series win, Front Range moves on to face the Arizona Yotes in the Rocky Mountain South Final.

Game 1 Highlights (Front Range 3, Arvada 1)

1st Period:

✅ 01:22 – Arvada Goal (1-0): Christopher Diner put the Fire ahead with an early goal.

🔥 Fire Strike First: Arvada took control early, limiting the Thunder’s offensive chances.

2nd Period:

✅ 09:56 – Front Range Goal (1-1, PP): Dawson Minder buried a power-play goal to tie it up.
✅ 07:24 – Front Range Goal (2-1): Mitchell Minder gave the Thunder their first lead of the game.
✅ 02:56 – Front Range Goal (3-1, PP): Mark Ottenberg extended the lead on the power play.

🔥 Thunder Take Over: After being held scoreless in the first period, Front Range dominated the second, outshooting Arvada and capitalizing on two power plays.

🛑 Goaltending Battle:
🏆 Chris Mollica (Front Range): 25 saves on 26 shots
💪 Trevor Roffe (Arvada): 20 saves on 23 shots

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Front Range 23 – Arvada 26

Game 2 Highlights (Front Range 6, Arvada 5)

1st Period:

✅ 10:38 – Arvada Goal (1-0): Mark Ottenberg opened the scoring for the Fire.
✅ 09:34 – Arvada Goal (2-0): Mitchell Minder extended the lead.
✅ 08:17 – Arvada Goal (3-0): Trey Aragon finished a strong passing play.
✅ 05:56 – Arvada Goal (4-0): Minder struck again, giving the Fire complete control.
✅ 05:25 – Front Range Goal (4-1): Dylan Fridlund got the Thunder on the board late in the period.

🔥 Fire Dominates: Arvada took a commanding 4-0 lead before Front Range managed to respond.

2nd Period:

✅ 10:12 – Front Range Goal (4-2, PP): Bryan Huke scored on the power play to cut the deficit in half.
✅ 09:16 – Front Range Goal (4-3, PP): Fridlund buried his second straight power-play goal.
✅ 07:27 – Front Range Goal (4-4): Fridlund completed the hat trick, tying the game.
✅ 01:20 – Front Range Goal (5-4, SH): Fridlund scored his fourth of the game shorthanded to give the Thunder their first lead.
✅ 08:48 – Arvada Goal (5-5): Trey Aragon responded quickly to bring the Fire back into it.
✅ 02:56 – Front Range Goal (6-5, GWG): Aragon scored again to complete the comeback victory for the Thunder.

🔥 Unbelievable Rally:Front Range scored five unanswered goals, including three on the power play and one shorthanded, to erase a four-goal deficit and win the game in regulation.

🛑 Goaltending Battle:
🏆 Chris Mollica (Front Range): 14 saves on 20 shots
💪 Trevor Roffe (Arvada): 13 saves on 18 shots

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Front Range 20 – Arvada 18

Series Takeaways:

🔥 Fridlund’s Heroics: Four goals, including a shorthanded game-winner, powered the Thunder’s comeback in Game 2.
💪 Power Play Difference: Front Range capitalized on three power-play goals in Game 2, turning the tide.
🔄 Fire Let It Slip Away: Arvada led by four goals but couldn’t hold off the Thunder’s relentless second-period attack.

🏆 What’s Next?

With the series win, Front Range Thunder advances to face the Arizona Yotes in the Rocky Mountain South Final.

📅 Next Game:March 9, 2025 – Rocky Mountain South Division Final

Can the Thunder carry their momentum into the final, or will the Yotes prove too strong? Stay tuned! 🔥🏒