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Merl, Thunder Continue to Roll in Preseason

September 9, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The line of Steven Merl, Logan Lambdin, and Sean Harrison (Union College) connected on a fantastic night as the Bloomington Thunder topped the Muskegon Lumberjacks 6-1. Their second preseason game against Muskegon finished a home and home where Bloomington outscored the Lumberjacks 13-3.

Bloomington's captain Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) continued to roll in the preseason and notched the first goal of the game at 2:26. With just over eight minutes left in the period Merl was the benefit of a loose puck at center ice. Before being dragged down on his shot, Merl slipped it between the pads of Jack Berry for the second goal of the night.

The Thunder captain picked up three goals in two games against the Lumberjacks. "We made some adjustments from last night because we saw what they were bringing to the table," said Slaker. "We know what we have on our team and were able to get going."

After Slaker and Merl caused some déjà vu from Tuesday night, Lambdin connected for the Thunder's third goal of the period. Merl received a pass in the far circle from Alec Mehr before dishing a back door pass to Lambdin at 14:58.

Muskegon countered back before the period ended. Rem Pitlick (University of Minnesota) rifled the puck to the back of the net at 19:01 to make it 3-1.

The second period opened with no scoring change but a great power play chance for the Thunder when Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) fired a puck just wide of the net. Other chances went by the boards as part of a six shot second period. The Thunder finished the night with 27.

Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) remained composed, calmly turning pucks to the corner with little to no rebounds and 17 saves. Jack Berry would split time in the game for the second night in a row, this time being relieved by Corbin Kaczperski.

The scoreless second period was finally cracked as the Thunder cashed in a late power play opportunity. Steven Merl tallied his second of the game, finding a net front rebound from a Tarek Baker shot that Kaczperski couldn't handle. It was Merl's fourth goal of the preseason at 19:12.

Tensions flared to start the third and came to a head 3:40 into the period. A slew of roughing and fighting calls were tacked on the score sheet for 55 minutes overall. Blake Gober would add to the Thunder's lead at 9:06 of the third period with a power play goal. He walked into the circle and fired a wrist shot over Kaczperski's shoulder to make it 5-1. Lambdin mimicked Gober minutes later and netted the sixth goal of the game off the crossbar and in.

Both Lambdin and Merl turned in multi point performances as their line combined for 7 points on the night.

Slaker commented on the preseason performance with high hopes for the upcoming preseason games and regular season. "We're very excited. Heading up to Green Bay should be a good test for us. Preseason is a time for us to learn, but we still have a lot of work to do before the season."

Bloomington heads to Green Bay for the Subway Shootout on Saturday and Sunday. They will play preseason games against Team USA U-18 and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 1 pm both days.

NEXT HOME GAME: Home Opener presented by HyVee - Join the Thunder as they kick off their 2015-16 season against the Waterloo Black Hawks. Every fan in the building will take home a special edition Home Opener t-shirt from the game. Join the party early with festivities outside the Coliseum and on the concourse from 6-7 p.m. Beer and soda will also be on sale for $1 during that time. For tickets call the Thunder office at (309) 434-2980.

Season and Partial Ticket Plans: The 2015-16 season will be here before you know it and for just $50 we can reserve your season or partial tickets for the Bloomington Thunder at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Season Tickets start at just $240 and youth season tickets are $150 including all of the same benefits. You'll also have a chance to win a pair of Chicago Blackhawks regular season game tickets during the 2015-16 season.

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 for the 2015-16 season by calling (309) 434-2980.



United States Hockey League Stories from September 9, 2015


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