Bloomington Scores 4 Unanswered, Wins in Shootout

February 15, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - Monday afternoon the Bloomington Thunder battled back from an early deficit, scoring four unanswered goals on the Muskegon Lumberjacks and winning it 5-4 in the shootout. Logan Lambdin (Michigan State University) improved on the season scoring his 19th goal of the year to tie the game in the final 25 seconds of the game. Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) earned the number one star of the game, assisting on Lambdin's game tying goal and scoring the game winner in the shootout.

With the Thunder down 4-1 into the third, Head Coach and General Manager Dennis Williams decided to take a different approach to the final period then getting all the goals at once.

"Let's think of it as three separate six and a half minute games. You come out and win each game you tie the game up," he said. "When we scored two quick ones and it put them on their heels a bit. Then the last five or six minutes I thought we elevated our game again."

With a playoff-like mentality, the Thunder came out in the third period and scored two goals to open the final frame. Jake Durflinger netted his tenth of the season with a redirected shot from Brogan Rafferty (Quinnipiac University) one minute into the period. Less than a minute later, Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) found himself in front of the net for a fantastic redirected shot to pull the Thunder within one. Patrick Curry finished the afternoon with an assist on that play and also scored the Thunder's first goal of the game in the second period.

"I told our guys, the pressure is on them now. They had the 4-0 lead, not us. Our guys kept to it," said Coach Williams. "We decided not to call a time out at the end because I thought our conditioning was good. Then we win a crucial draw and are able to tie it up."

Curry's tipped shot on the power play was his eighth of the season and came from Rafferty and Wyatt Kalynuk (Western Michigan University). With under three minutes left in the period it gave the team the spark they would need to come back from a 4-0 deficit.

The Lumberjacks were able to stop an early offensive surge by Bloomington who had 16 shots on net in the first. Overall, the Thunder took 48 shots on net and handed Joey Daccord (Arizona State University, Ottawa Senators) his 16th loss of the season, despite making 43 saves.

Muskegon managed to take a 3-0 lead starting with an unassisted tally from Anthony DelGaizo. Picking off the puck and moving to the high slot, the forward let a shot fly to the net just over eight minutes into the period.

Danny DiGrande began a big game in the first with his first goal of the season. On a similar play to the first goal, DiGrande was able to get his first of three points on the night to make it 2-0. Lucas Michaud (University of Maine) scored the third goal for the Lumberjacks on a low angle shot that found the net. What seemed like a harmless play, found the inside of the post and gave Muskegon a 3-0 lead into the break.

Starting the second period, the Lumberjacks added an odd man rush goal almost eight minutes into the middle period. The pass from Logan Drevitch (Merrimack College) found DiGrande for his second goal of the presidents day matinee to give the 'Jacks their 4-0 advantage.

The Thunder finished the game 2-for-2 on the power play and netted one goal on the man advantage. Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) earned the win with 15 saves, his 17th of the season and third best in the United States Hockey League by any goalie.

"We have another tough weekend ahead of us in Chicago, Green Bay, Dubuque so it doesn't get any easier," said Williams, whose team is now in fourth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. "It's a well-deserved weekend for this group and a resilient weekend to win when the game is on the line."

BOX SCORE: http://bit.ly/215vB1M

Bloomington is back home to finish their four game stand on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Chicago Steel roll into Bloomington for the second time this season as the Thunder look to continue their two-game win streak.

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, February 19th - 7 p.m. - The Thunder play host to the Chicago Steel for the fourth time this season. From the time the doors open at the Coliseum until puck drop, the Thunder are offering $1 drafts and soft drinks. Tickets start at $10 and youth tickets are $5 when you call ahead. Visit the Thunder office or call (309) 434-2980 for information and to purchase tickets.

Bloomington Thunder Forward Tarek Baker

Bloomington Thunder Forward Jake Slaker vs. the Muskegon Lumberjacks

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2016

• Force Move into Fourth Place with OT Win over Lancers - Fargo Force
• Fargo Scores Late, Wins in OT 4-3 - Omaha Lancers
• Bloomington Scores 4 Unanswered, Wins in Shootout - Bloomington Thunder
• Digrande Nets Hat Trick in Lumberjacks Loss - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Fighting Saints to Make New Hires - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• NTDP Announces "Milk and Cereal Bowl" Game - U.S. National Team
• Storm Goaltender Jake Kielly Wins Goaltender of the Week - Tri-City Storm
• Two Steel Players Earn USHL Player of the Week - Chicago Steel
• USHL CCM Players of the Week Named - USHL
• Muskegon Lumberjacks Red Wings Ticket Giveaway - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Capitols Announce Gazich as Team President - Madison Capitols

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.

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