PrairieThunder win
Published on February 27, 2010 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
MUSKEGON, Mich. - Rick Varone scored two goals to lead the Bloomington PrairieThunder to its first victory of the season in nine tries against league-leading Muskegon on Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena in International Hockey League action.
The 4-2 triumph, the first for the PrairieThunder in six games on the Lumberjacks' home ice this season, moved Bloomington's record to 25-21-2-5 (57 points) and solidified its hold on fourth place in the standings.
The PrairieThunder plays at the i Wireless Center in Moline - where it is winless in four games this year -- on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. against Quad City. The Mallards trail Bloomington by nine points in the standings.
Matt Krug put the Lumberjacks in front with a power play goal at the 16:14 mark of the first period on assists by J.T. Dahlinger and Brian Bicek.
Varone knotted the score with his first goal of the game on a rebound effort off his shot in front of the net with 15:41 left in the second period. Greg McCauley had the assist.
Damien Surma gave the Lumberjacks the lead again 25 seconds later on an assist by John DiPace. Brian Boulay then blasted home a game-tying power play goal from point-blank range in front of the net with 7:32 to go in the second period on assists by Robin Gomez and Zac Pearson.
Defenseman Justin Sawyer scored what proved to be the game-winner with 2:23 remaining in the second period on assists by Matt McIlvane and Pearson. Varone then added an empty-netter with 71 seconds left in the game to ice the victory.
Sebastian Dahm stopped 30 of 32 shots for Bloomington to earn his second straight win in net. Bloomington had a 37-32 advantage in shots. Both teams were 1 for 5 on the power play.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 27, 2010
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