McIlvane Called Up
March 11, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Bloomington PrairieThunder rookie center Matt McIlvane was called up Thursday to the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League for a second time this season.
McIlvane, who scored the game-tying goal last week in his first stint with the Rivermen that led to an eventual victory over Grand Rapids, will be in the Rivermen lineup Friday in Houston against the Aeros and possibly Sunday at San Antonio.
The 24-year-old Naperville native leads PrairieThunder rookies with 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 57 games. He is among five Bloomington players who haven't missed a game this season. The others are Craig Macdonald, Justin Sawyer, Zac Pearson and Jason Lepine.
McIlvane's departure leaves the PrairieThunder short-handed on offense with starting centers Jon Booras and Rick Varone, along with forward Mike Liambas out with injuries.
"It's a great opportunity for Matt," said PrairieThunder coach Jarrod Skalde, whose team has had five players elevated to the Class AAA level this season. "It does make us a little thinner for the weekend, but in the big picture it can only pay dividends down the road. It also gives some of the younger guys more ice time and the opportunity to step up."
The PrairieThunder will be out to snap a four-game losing streak and keep its hold on the fourth and final spot in the International Hockey League playoff race when it meets Port Huron in its next game at 6:30 p.m. Friday at McMorran Arena.
The game will be broadcast on WJBC-FM (93.7) and can be seen on the b2 network at Six Strings Entertainment Center in Bloomington.
Bloomington, which is in the midst of a four-game road trip, has a 25-25-2-5 record and 57 points. The PrairieThunder is one point ahead of Quad City, five in front of Flint, and nine ahead of Dayton in the standings.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 11, 2010
- Mallards Welcome Fans To March 20 John Deere Community Night - Quad City Mallards
- Mallards To Meet Fans Tomorrow At Hardee's In Monmouth, Muscatine - Quad City Mallards
- McIlvane Called Up - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Thunder Falls to Komets - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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