Ilya Protas registers first AHL point on Patrick Thomas's first professional goal

"The goal was made possible due to some hustle by Protas on the forecheck. As Thunderbirds defenseman Theo Lindstein looked to break out of the zone, Protas's pressure forced him to make a poor pass, chunking his feed off the netting of Springfield's goal. Protas then picked up the loose biscuit and fed Thomas, who beat goaltender Georgi Romanov with a shot from between the circles."

"Patrick Thomas scored his first AHL goal in his first professional game after being set up by Ilya Protas with 43 seconds remaining in the first period. The primary assist also marked Protas's first AHL point. For Protas, the milestone point comes in his third career AHL game with the Bears, while Thomas, a 2023 fourth-round pick of the Capitals, was suiting up likely due to an injury Ivan Miroshnichenko suffered during the morning skate."

Patrick Thomas scored his first AHL goal in his first professional game, assisted by Ilya Protas with 43 seconds remaining in the first period. Protas earned his first AHL point on the primary assist in his third career AHL game. Protas's forecheck forced a poor breakout pass by Theo Lindstein that deflected off the netting, allowing Protas to pick up the puck and feed Thomas, who beat Georgi Romanov from between the circles. Thomas, 21, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals after a 104-point final junior season as Brantford Bulldogs captain. Zack Fisch is out day-to-day after crashing into the boards during the morning skate, and Sheldon Rempal also scored his first goal as a Hershey Bear after returning from play in the KHL.

Read at RMNB