NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



USA Uses Strong Second in 6-2 Thunder Loss

March 13, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington, IL - A surge of offense in the second and a late defensive effort in the third were enough for Team USA to top the Bloomington Thunder 6-2 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Friday night. Bloomington has just nine games left in the USHL season and are still nine points out of a playoff spot.

Pat Curry and Max Gottlieb (Brown University) had the best chance for the Thunder in the first with a 2-on-0 but ran out of room in front of Luke Opilka (University of Wisconsin). Later in the frame, Team USA responded with chances of their own. Colin White (Boston College) and Jeremy Bracco (Boston College) both rang shots off the posts in addition to nine shots on net.

For a complete reversal of play, the second period saw six goals scored to break the scoreless tie. Matthew Tkachuk (University of Notre Dame) opened a three-point night with two goals in under three minutes to start the period. Then Jack Roslovic (Miami University) potted a goal on a spin-o-rama feed from Auston Matthews at the 7:00 mark of the period.

Thunder affiliate Vladislav Dzhioshvili was denied earlier in the period by Opilka but would manage to sneak one past the goaltender on the power play at 10:29. Three different Thunder affiliates have now scored points in their USHL debut with the Thunder. Under two minutes later Clayton Keller (Boston University) began his two-goal night to make it 4-1.

Shane Bednard (Bowling Green State University) netted his 13th of the season to bring the score to 4-2 before the intermission. His power play was the second of the game for the Thunder who were 2-7 on the man advantage and 3-4 on the penalty kill.

Despite a four-minute power play in the third period, the Thunder were stymied by the USA defense and only put up one shot in the final period. Late goals by Christian Fischer (University of Notre Dame) and Keller sealed the game and handed the Thunder their 22nd loss of the season, dropping them to seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) suffered the loss making 31 saves as the Thunder were outshot 37-15.

With their playoff lives on the line, the Thunder host the Muskegon Lumberjacks to finish their season series on Saturday night. Bloomington is 1-3-1 against the Jacks in 2014-15.

Next Home Game: The Thunder help support the American Heart Association for Jump Rope for Heart on Saturday, March 14th. The 7:00 pm CST against the Muskegon Lumberjacks supports students who raised money for the cause by offering them free tickets. Call (309) 434-2980 to book your free ticket or grab six tickets for $36 dollars.

• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...

United States Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bloomington Thunder Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central