Huge Comeback Gives Thunder Point in OT

October 31, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois "" The Bloomington Thunder (6-5-1) fell early to the Dubuque Fighting Saints (8-3-0), but forced the game into overtime with a three-goal comeback on Saturday afternoon. Logan Lambdin netted the game-tying goal with just over seven minutes to play in the afternoon Halloween game. The Thunder special teams helped them to gain a point in the standings, going 2-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, with a shorthanded goal.

The chances in the first period for the Fighting Saints were limited, but they seemed to cash in on every one. With just six shots in the first, Dubuque found the back of the net three times. Petter Makitalo opened the scoring with a shot that snuck through six minutes into the game. 23 seconds later, it was 2-0 as Jakob Romo (Arizona State University) scored his first of the season on a back door one timer.

The end of the night for goaltender Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) would come about 10 minutes into the first period when Michael O'Leary (Cornell University) netted a short-side shot on the Thunder goaltender. Logan Halladay entered the game down 3-0 but gave the Thunder a chance to rally with 18 saves in relief, including two in overtime.

Tarek Baker (University of Minnesota) picked up an unassisted shorthanded goal at the 14-minute mark of the first to put the team on the board. He stripped Nathan Sucese (Penn State University) and walked in for a small breakaway on Hunter Miska (University of Minnesota-Duluth) before putting in his third of the season. The goal gave the Thunder momentum in the game and put wind back underneath their feet.

The second period was scoreless until the final five seconds of the period when Blake Gober tallied a power play goal. He walked in and fired his fourth of the season to bring the game within one. Despite the one goal and only six shots in the period, the Thunder had two plays ruled no goal due to incidental goaltender contact and a save by Miska on the goal line.

In the third, Lambdin would net his game-tying goal on the power play. Moments before, the forward's shot went over the net before coming into the zone, beating the defender and the goaltender. It was his fourth of the season and was one of 24 shots in the game.

Dubuque has experience in the extra period, with a 3-0-0 record entering the game tonight. Bloomington had their first taste of overtime this season and were unable to get a shot on net. Keegan Ford (Michigan Tech) netted his team high fifth goal of the season to win it in overtime. Miska ended the night with his league high seventh win and 21 stops.

The Thunder will take on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

NEXT HOME GAMES: Friday, November 6th "" 7 p.m. "" From 6-7 p.m. the Thunder will offer $1 Budweiser draft beer and Pepsi products as part of the Friday night food special. The night is presented by O'Brien Mitsubishi as the Thunder face off with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for the second time this season.

Saturday, November 7th "" 7 p.m. "" Be one of the first 500 fans in the building to receive a free car ice scraper. The giveaway is presented by COUNTRY Financial® Representative Justin M. Boyd as the Thunder face the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It's buy one, get one free hot dogs from 6-7 p.m. and all kids get a free hot dog voucher when they walk in the door. Don't forget to stick around after the game for a post-game player skate.

Season and Partial Ticket Plans: The 2015-16 season has begun, but we can still reserve your seat for every Bloomington Thunder game at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. You'll have a chance to win a pair of Chicago Blackhawks regular season tickets during the season along with other great promotions if you get season tickets.

Can't make it to every game? Check out 20 and 10-game ticket plans starting at only $100. Make it a voucher pack and get all the same benefits with more flexibility.

Reserve your tickets by calling (309) 434-2980.

Bloomington Thunder vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (Niki D Photography)

United States Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2015

• Des Moines loses 5-1 - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Stampede Spooked by Phantoms at PREMIER Center - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Gornet to Harvard - Sioux City Musketeers
• Lancers Down First Place Stars, 5-2 - Omaha Lancers
• Lumberjacks Fall to the Green Bay Gamblers on Halloween - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Stars Fall 5-2 to Lancers - Lincoln Stars
• Gamblers Complete the Weekend Sweep - Green Bay Gamblers
• Huge Comeback Gives Thunder Point in OT - Bloomington Thunder
• Fighting Saints Fend off Thunder - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Lincoln escapes with 2-1 win over Musketeers - Sioux City Musketeers
• U.S. National U17 Team Edges Canada Red, 4-3, in Regulation - U.S. National Team

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