NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Clark Cup Playoffs Open in Cedar Rapids

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


Cedar Rapids, IOWA - Bloomington Thunder are set to make their first appearance in the Clark Cup Playoffs in club history after completing their second consecutive winning season 36-18-5-1. The team ended the regular season as the hottest program in the United Sates Hockey League garnering points in 14 of their last 15 games. The Thunder travel to Iowa for game one of the Clark Cup Playoffs against the number one seeded Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Head Coach Dennis Williams, who has won multiple championships in his coaching career, and the Thunder, set out on their long journey to bring Bloomington it's first championship.

The RoughRiders last won the Clark Cup in 2005, but have not earned a playoff series win since 2011. The Anderson Cup Champions with the best record in the USHL are coached by Mark Carlson, making his 15th appearance in the post season. Carlson recorded his 1,000th game milestone earlier this season, one of only two coaches in USHL history to do so. Both playoff teams are hoping to keep up their momentum as they propel into the post-season best-of-five series. The two clubs met four times this season and eight games all time.

Listen live for all the post-season action by going to portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/. Game 1 begins at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. from the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Games will also be broadcast with live video on USHL.FastHockey.com. Don't forget to check out the Thunder's official Twitter account, @BLMThunder, for updates during the game with our hashtag #BLMvsCR. Also follow along all post season using the hashtag #WeAreNext.

Bloomington's strong road record of 20-9-1-0 could predicate what's to come in Cedar Rapids. The Thunder are the number four seed in the Eastern Conference and will play the majority of their post season games on the road. Bloomington is led by Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) (20g, 29a) and Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) (13g, 36a), each scoring 49 points this season. Including his multiple Defenseman of the Week awards, Davies led USHL blue liners in scoring and is in contention for Defenseman of the Year.

Cedar Rapids is looking forward to home ice advantage, entering game one with a 21-8-1-0 home record. Tying for second across the league, Ross Colton (University of Vermont) leads the Rough Riders, earning 66 points this season (35g, 31a). Defenseman Jack Achan (St. Cloud State University) finished second behind Davies in scoring, with 44 points (14g, 30a).

The RoughRiders won three of the four games in the 15-16 season, including an overtime win in November. This match up also pits two of the most talented goaltenders in the USHL against one another. Ben Blacker (Western Michigan University) of Cedar Rapids won Goalie of the Week a season high of five times, went 33-13-2-2 with a 2.24 GAA, .926 SV%, and five shut outs. Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) earned the weekly honor twice with a record of 26-9-1-1, a 2.26 GAA, .914 SV%, and four shutouts.

This series could also come down to a special teams battle. Bloomington has the top power play in the league, with 55 goals on the man advantage. Yet, Cedar Rapids is the best in the league on the penalty kill allowing just 27 goals against, 6 fewer than the next closest team. On the flip side Bloomington's penalty kill is equally matched to Cedar Rapids power play in the league standings.

Game 1: Bloomington at Cedar Rapids - 7:05 p.m.

Game 2: Bloomington at Cedar Rapids - 7:05 p.m.

Game 3: Cedar Rapids at Bloomington - 7:30 p.m.

Game 4: Cedar Rapids at Bloomington - 3:00 p.m.*

Game 5: Bloomington at Cedar Rapids - 7:05 p.m.*

*as needed

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, April 22nd, 7:30 p.m. - Post-season hockey is in Bloomington and it's your chance to join in the excitement. The Thunder host Cedar Rapids for game three of their best-of-five series at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Be one of the first 2000 in the building and receive a free 2016 Thunder rally towel. Tickets start at $10 in our premium seating and $5 for youth tickets when you call ahead. For more information, contact the Bloomington Thunder office at (309) 434-2980.

Social Media: Follow the Thunder on social media using our handle @BLMThunder or clicking the links below: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

MATCHUP NOTES

Overall Record

Cedar Rapids: 40-15-3-2, 85 points (1st East, 1st Overall)

Bloomington: 36-18-5-1, 78 points (4th East, 4th Overall)

Home Record

Cedar Rapids: 21-8-1-0

Bloomington: 16-9-4-1

Road Record

Cedar Rapids: 19-7-2-2

Bloomington: 20-9-1-0

Head-to-Head

Cedar Rapids: 3-1-0-0

Bloomington: 1-2-1-0

October 30, 2015: Bloomington 4, Cedar Rapids 3

November 6, 2015: Cedar Rapids 4, Bloomington 3 (OT)

November 21, 2015: Cedar Rapids 6, Bloomington 3

December 30, 2015: Cedar Rapids 6, Bloomington 4

Record in last 10 games

Cedar Rapids: 6-3-1-0

Bloomington: 7-1-2-0

Leading Scorer

Cedar Rapids: Ross Colton (University of Vermont), 66 points (35g, 31a)

Bloomington: Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) (20g, 29a) & Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) (13g, 36a), 49 points each

Leading Rookie

Cedar Rapids: Matt Filipe (Northeastern University), 36 points (19g, 17a)

Bloomington: Vlad Dzhioshvili (Cornell University, 21 points (8g, 13a)

Leading Defenseman

Cedar Rapids: Jack Ahcan (St. Cloud State University), 44 points (14G, 30A)

Bloomington: Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University), 49 points (13G, 36A)

Leading Goaltender

Cedar Rapids: Ben Blacker (Western Michigan University), 33-13-2-2, 2.24 GAA, .926 SV%, 5 shutouts

Bloomington: Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan), 26-9-1-1, 2.26 GAA, .914 SV%, 4 shutouts

Power Play

Cedar Rapids: 20.2% (3rd in East, 4th overall)

Bloomington: 23.3% (T-1 in East, T-1 overall)

Penalty Kill

Cedar Rapids: 87.0% (1st in East, 1st overall)

Bloomington: 84.5% (4th in East, 5th overall)

NHL Central Scouting Ranked Players

Cedar Rapids: Matt Filipe (Northeastern University) (51), 36 points (19G, 17A); Ross Colton (University of Vermont) (89), 66 points (35G, 31A); Matt Gosiewski (Harvard University) (196), 13 points (7G, 6A)

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

United States Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2016


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