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Final Game of Hectic Stretch

February 27, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Bloomington Thunder have the opportunity to sweep their road weekend on Saturday night against the Youngstown Phantoms. Puck drop between the Thunder and Phantoms will be 6:05 p.m. (7:05 p.m. CST) from the Covelli Center. Bloomington (26-17-3-1) topped the Phantoms (22-15-4-5) on Friday night to snatch up their second win of the weekend. The reigning Anderson Cup champions are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Bloomington.

Listen live to all Thunder games this season by going to portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/. Tonight's broadcast begins at 5:45 p.m. for pregame coverage. Games will also be broadcast with live video on FastHockey.com. Don't forget to check out the Thunder's Twitter account, @BLMThunder, for updates during the game with our hashtag #BLMvsYNG.

A center ice takeaway resulted in the game-winning goal from forward Jake Durflinger on Friday night. The forward took the puck down the right wing before a shot went into the back of the net off the glove of goaltender Ryan Bednard (Bowling Green State University, Florida Panthers). Durflinger's 11th of the season came unassisted to win the game for the Thunder.

Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) made 24 saves for his 19th win of the season. The netminder from Brampton, ON had big saves for the Thunder and continued a streak of over 100 minutes of shutout hockey. Lavigne has the third most wins in the USHL and after allowing just one goal over the last 49 shots, has the seventh best goals against average.

The Thunder were also backed by a goal from Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) who netted a game winning overtime goal on Thursday night. Originally believed to be Wyatt Kalynuk (Western Michigan University) on the goal, Slaker was in front for the tip of Kalynuk's game winner on Thursday and followed it up on the power play Saturday. The Thunder captain has 12 goals this season and 27 points (12g, 15a) in his second USHL season.

Bednard made some big saves for the Phantoms in the game but ended the night with his third straight loss. Youngstown's offense, ranked sixth in the league, was limited to just one goal and held off the board on the power play. The Thunder killed off two separate 5 on 3 power plays and overall stopped seven chances for the Phantoms.

Youngstown has the top young player in the league as Cameron Morrison (University of Notre Dame) leads the team in points. The 17-year-old has 49 (26g, 23a) this season and is the top scoring rookie in the league. The Aurora, ON native also ranks second in the league in overall scoring and goals behind Rem Pitlick (University of Minnesota).

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, March 4th - 7 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks night is back at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum to bring a slice of the reigning Stanley Cup Championship organization to Central Illinois. 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Jamal Mayers will be at the game signing autographs and dropping the ceremonial puck after soloist Jim Cornelison performs the Star Spangled Banner. The Blackhawks Bud Light Ice Crew will also be at the game to sign autographs and meet fans in the stands. Get to the game early for $1 drafts and sodas all the way until puck drop. Tickets start at $10 with $5 youth tickets when you call ahead. In order to receive these discounts you MUST call ahead. To reach the Thunder office, call (309) 434-2980.



United States Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2016


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