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Baker Nets Two in Thunder Loss

January 8, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington Thunder Goaltender Holds off the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Bloomington Thunder Goaltender Holds off the Muskegon Lumberjacks
(Bloomington Thunder, Credit: Niki D Photography)

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - A physical game from the U.S. CellularColiseum ended in heartbreak for the Bloomington Thunder who fell victim to alate tally by the Muskegon Lumberjacks as the game ended in a 3-2 loss. TheThunder (16-10-2-1) see a four game home winning streak come to an end as theLumberjacks (13-11-2-1) get their first win of the new year, snapping atwo-game losing streak. The Friday night game from the Coliseum opened a homeand home with the 'Jacks who will host the Thunder Saturday night.

In the finalminutes of the third period, the Thunder earned themselves and offensiveopportunity but the Lumberjacks quickly countered the other way. In a scramblein front of the crease, Max Humitz (LakeSuperior State University) was able to find a rebound and put it into thenet with only 21 seconds to play in the game.

Logan Halladay suffered his first loss in five gamesmaking 26 saves for the Thunder. Entering the game the Cary, NC native was thereigning goaltender of the week and was a key to the Thunder's effort in thegame.

A back and forthfirst period was even until the final 50 second of the period when Muskegonbroke the scoreless tie. Collin Adams(University of North Dakota) ended Halladay's shutout streak at just under 167 minutes with a power play goal.After a puck came to Chris Klack, ashot was deflected in front of the net right to Adams who didn't miss from inclose. The goal was his 12th of the season and gave the 'Jacks the1-0 lead with under one minute left in the period.

Bloomingtonended the frame with 11 shots on net, but were stymied by NHL Draft Pick Joey Daccord (Arizona StateUniversity/Ottawa Senators). That would hold until the halfway point of theperiod when the Thunder capitalized on a power play chance.

Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) netted his eighth of the season bymoving across the crease and tucking the puck past the pad of Daccord. It tiedthe game momentarily but the Lumberjacks came back to take the lead. After theThunder had chances in the offensive zone, the puck slipped to the high slotand Adams took off on a 2-on-1. The North Dakota commit elected to shoot,scoring his second of the night unassisted at 11:44.

In the third,Baker would make his night a multi-goal affair. Over six minutes into theperiod, Pat Curry pushed the puck toLogan Lambdin for a mini 2-on-1 andfrom the high slot he dished it to the Thunder's leading scorer. Baker hammeredit in from the bottom of the right circle to tie the game again.

Despite 15 thirdperiod shots the Thunder were unable to crack Daccord again and the goaltenderpicked up his 11th win of the season. Bloomington finished the night1-for-3 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill. Halladay is now 4-6-2-0this season with the loss. The Thunder ended the eight game goal streak and tengame point streak for the USHL's leading scorer, Rem Pitlick (University of Minnesota).

The two teams will battle on Saturday night from the L.C. Walker Arena to finish the weekend. The 6 p.m. (CST) game is the third of six meetings between the Thunder and Lumberjacks. NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, January 15th - 7 p.m. - It's the annual Military Appreciation game as theThunder host the Des Moines Buccaneers. Friday night drink specials help yousave with $1 Budweiser Drafts and Pepsi Products from 6-7 p.m. Active military,veterans, and their families can get tickets to the game for $10 by calling(309) 434-2980. Come see the Thunder pay tribute to those who support ourcountry and its freedoms!

Holiday Hat Trick: Call the Thunder for theirholiday hat trick package. For just $55 you get four tickets to an upcominggame, a Thunder team hat, and a Thunder mini stick! That's a value of over $90.Visit the Thunder office or call (309) 434-2980 for this amazing limited timeoffer.




Images from this story

Tyler Mardis of the Bloomington Thunder
Tyler Mardis of the Bloomington Thunder
 Bloomington Thunder Goaltender Holds off the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Bloomington Thunder Goaltender Holds off the Muskegon Lumberjacks
(Niki D Photography)		  



United States Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2016


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