Kuster's Debut with PrairieThunder a Success in 6-2 Win Over Kalamazoo
Published on January 9, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Henry Kuster, who was obtained in a trade earlier in the week, made his debut with the Bloomington PrairieThunder a smashing success by scoring two goals and assisting on two others Friday night to lead the team to a 6-2 International Hockey League victory over Kalamazoo before 2,499 people at Wings Stadium.
Kuster scored his first goal 29 seconds into the game with assists going to relative newcomers Jan Jas and Matt Frick, who have been added to the roster over the last three weeks.
The PrairieThunder had six players contribute more than one point and finished with a season-high plus-15 plus-minus rating. Other scoring in double figures, besides Kuster, were Jas (3), Jon Booras (3), Marty Standish (2), Brett Holmberg (2) and John Neal (2).
The PrairieThunder took a 2-0 lead with 7:51 remaining in the first period when Neal put in a rebound shot off assists from Booras and Kuster. Bloomington extended the advantage to 3-0 with 14:24 left in the second period on Kuster's second goal off a power play with assists to Booras and Jas.
Kalamazoo scored its first goal 26 seconds later on Blair Manning's goal on assists by Mark Nebus and Casey Handrahan. But the PrairieThunder regained its three-goal lead when John Nail found the net with 16 remaining in the second period with assists to Holmberg and Standish.
The PrairieThunder moved to a 5-1 advantage 54 seconds into the third period on a Booras goal with assists to Neal and Holmberg. Kalamazoo then cut the deficit to 5-2 on Tommy Lange's goal off assists by Ryan Kindret and Handrahan.
Bloomington recorded its final goal with 14:31 left in the game on a Jas goal and assists by Kuster and Standish. Each team had four minutes in penalties and the PrairieThunder was successful on 1 of 2 power plays. Kalamazoo was unsuccessful on two power play attempts.
Bloomington winning goalie Ryan Ludzik stopped 37 of 39 shots, while Kalamazoo's Jason Tapp stopped 19 of 25.
The victory moved the PrairieThunder's record to 11-20-1 (23 points), while Kalamazoo fell to
21-12 (42 points). Bloomington returns to action Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. game at Fort Wayne.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 9, 2009
- Kuster's Debut with PrairieThunder a Success in 6-2 Win Over Kalamazoo - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Kalamazoo Allows Season-High Six Goals in Loss to Bloomington - Kalamazoo Wings
- PrarieThunder News - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Countdown to Face-Off: Kalamazoo Wings Vs Bloomington PrairieThunder - Kalamazoo Wings
- PrairieThunder Signs Kusy - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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