Bittersweet Return in Week 14

Published on December 29, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington, IL - Following the longest break by a team in the USHL over the Christmas break, the Thunder were back in action against the Dubuque Fighting Saints in week 14. The lone game of the weekend for the Thunder came just two days after Christmas day and after 14 days of rest since the Thunder's last game in Madison against the Capitols. The Thunder were riding a hot streak into the game with a 7-2-1 record in their last ten games but were halted by the Fighting Saints, led by goaltender Jacob Nehama who leads the league in goals against average with 2.06. Shane Bednard (Bowling Green State University) is the hot hand for Bloomington with seven points in his last six games.

12/27/14 at Dubuque

Bloomington opened their return with a back and forth first period but could not capitalize on chances and saw themselves down by two headed into the intermission. One of the two was a dysfunctional goal that was an intended pass, hitting skates and heading to the back of the net. In the second the Thunder had chances on the power play but would find themselves on the receiving end of a special teams goal. The 5x3 marker gave the Saints the 3-0 lead. But Bloomington hopped on the offensive and earned them a shorthanded penalty shot. Bednard stood toe-to-toe with Nehama but was shut down on the shot to the five-hole. However their offence would get the job done later in the frame following a Patrick Curry fight, which sparked the team. Matt Nuttle (Cornell University) connected on a loose puck and ripped it to the twine to make it 3-1 at the break. Bloomington would enter the third with high hopes as they started the frame with a power play but could not make it a one-goal hockey game. Instead Dubuque cashed in on two goals in 1:30, finding loose pucks around the crease. Goaltender David Jacobson made some fantastic saves in the night including a huge glove save in the third to keep his team in it. One final goal at the 10:00 mark would be enough to seal the win and Dubuque took a 2-0-0 lead in the season series with the Thunder. Jacobson finished the night making 24 saves while the Thunder yet again outshot their opponent for the 19th time this season 37-30. The Thunder return home for game two of a home and home with the Fighting Saints this Wednesday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Next Home Game - The Thunder will take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints for their Tux and Pucks Night on Wednesday, December 31st at 7:00 pm. Join the Thunder in celebrating the New Year in your best attire. Unit-5 students can get a free ticket voucher to the game by heading to their online backpack. It is also Olive Garden Family Night. Purchase four tickets in the lower end and receive a $25 gift card to the Olive Garden for $50. Upgrade those tickets to premium for only $5. Grab $2 Budweiser and Pepsi products as well as other concessions. Stick around after the game for a post-game skate and autograph session with the team. Call the Thunder office for tickets at (309) 434-2980.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2014


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