Bloomington Thunder Weekly

Published on December 3, 2013 under SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


The Bloomington Thunder travel to Mississippi for the first time this weekend as they face both of the state's entries in the Southern Professional Hockey League during a three-game trip.

Last time out: The Thunder dropped a home-and-home series with the rival Peoria Rivermen last weekend, losing 4-3 on Friday in Peoria before falling 5-1 on Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The Thunder surged back from a 3-0 deficit on Friday but fell short despite goals from Patrick Schafer, Curtis Megginson and Kevin Walrod. The Rivermen led Saturday's game 4-0 after two periods on a shorthanded goal and three power play tallies including a hat trick from Nick Prockow before Travis Granbois lit the lamp early in the third for the only Thunder score in a game that deteriorated into several skirmishes and 180 penalty minutes.

Mississippi bound: The Surge and RiverKings both have Mississippi as their location, but the clubs are hardly neighbors. The Surge are based in the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, which sits in Biloxi within view of the Gulf of Mexico, while the RiverKings are 350 miles north in Southaven in suburban Memphis. This weekend won't be the first time that a Bloomington team has visited Southaven, as the RiverKings were in the Central Hockey League until 2011. Game times are 7:05 p.m. Friday in Biloxi, 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Southaven and 3:05 p.m. Sunday in Southaven.

Power Surge: The Surge (7-7-0, 14 points, fifth place) didn't score in their two games last weekend, falling 6-0 Friday at Huntsville before a 1-0 home loss on Saturday to Louisiana. Justin McDonald and Chapen LeBlond each lead the Surge with nine points (4 goals, 5 assists). Mark Thorburn was acquired from Pensacola on November 19 for future considerations and also has nine points this season, five with the Surge.

Walking (or skating) in Memphis: The RiverKings (9-4-1, 19 points, tied for second) split last weekend's games with a 2-1 win at Columbus followed by a 3-1 home loss to Huntsville. Todd Hosmer leads RiverKings scorers 12 goals with four assists for 16 points. Former Bloomington skaters Leo Thomas (7 goals, 3 assists, 10 points) and Matt Whitehead (3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points) are tied for second in RiverKings scoring. Matthew Krahn leads SPHL goalies with a 1.78 goals against average and also sports the second-best save percentage at .937, while Dan McWhinney is second in goals against with 2.01 and the best save percentage at .939.

Thunder rolls: The Thunder are led in scoring with 12 points each from Kevin Walrod and Dan Barczuk, who have each collected five goals and seven assists. Tyler Noseworthy is the only other double-digit scorer with 10 points on four goals and six assists. Walrod is tied for ninth among league rookies with his 12 points.

Not so special: The Thunder special teams have given up 20 power play goals and four shorthanded goals, both most in the SPHL. The Thunder also have compiled 439 penalty minutes, 102 minor penalties, three 10-minute misconducts, nine game misconducts and one match penalty, all most in the SPHL.

Back home: After this weekend's three-game trip to Mississippi, the Thunder play four of their next five games at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, including a three-game set next Friday, Saturday and Sunday against the Surge. All Thunder games can be heard on WJBC.com and on pay-per-view through America One Sports with links to the online broadcasts found on the home page of www.bloomingtonthunder.com. Fans are invited to watch all road games at Six Strings, 524 N. Center St. in downtown Bloomington. More information on the Thunder is also available on Facebook, Twitter (BLMThunder) and by calling 309-434-2980.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



SPHL Stories from December 3, 2013


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.

OurSports Central