
Playoff Hopes Still Alive as Team USA Returns
March 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
Bloomington, IL - The United States National Team Development Team Under-17 team returns to Bloomington to face-off with the Thunder for just the second time this season on Saturday night. Puck drop for the sixth game against the Development Program and fourth meeting with the U-17's kicks off at 7:00 from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum
It is also Country Music & Family Appreciation night. Come hear your favorite country hits as well as have a chance to win tickets to Alan Jackson on May 9th by entering to win for free on the concourse. Facebook followers will also be given a chance to win suite tickets to the show so like our page to enter. Player's parents and billet families will be honored before the game as the Thunder say thank you for their support and dedication. Call the Thunder office at (309) 434-2980 for a 6-for-$36 deal or other tickets.
Can't make it out to the game? Listen live by going to portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc. You can catch all the action starting with the pregame show at 6:45 pm CST. You can also follow the Thunder on social media for updates during the game.
Bloomington is tied for sixth place in the United States Hockey League's Eastern Conference with the Madison Capitols at 53 points. Both are now 11 points outside of playoffs behind Dubuque, Muskegon, and Chicago. The Thunder are fresh off a dramatic win however. One week ago, Shane Bednard (Bowling Green State University) scored his first USHL game-winning goal with 2.7 seconds remaining on the clock against Muskegon. The goal earned the Thunder their 23rd win of the season and gave Bednard the team lead in goals with 14. Just above him in points is Pittsburgh, PA native Matt Mendelson (Penn State University). The assistant captain leads the team with 36 points (13g, 23a) in his second full USHL season.
Team USA saw both the U-18's and U-17's competing on Friday, the Thunder's off day. The older group posted 11 goals in a win over Lincoln, but the top '98 prospects struggled against Dubuque, resulting in a 3-2 loss. With constant movement between the teams, the constant variable has been Joey Anderson (University of Minnesota-Duluth) who has scored 18 points (11g, 7a) in 28 games. In the organization, the forward ranks eighth in scoring but with the U-17's this season he ranks third to only Clayton Keller (Boston University) and Chad Krys, who have both seen time with the U-18's.
Next Home Game: It's the final game of the 2014-15 season for the Bloomington Thunder and it's Fan Appreciation Night. Tons of prizes will be handed out to fans at the game and every fan will walk away from the game as a winner. Come support the Thunder celebrate their inaugural year in the United States Hockey League. Book a group to finish the season or grab a 6-for-$36 deal and bring the whole family. Call the Thunder office at (309) 434-2980.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2015
- Chicago Blackhawks Sign Hinostroza - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Hawks Can't Stop Phantoms - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Phantoms Clinch Playoff Berth with Shutout Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- Former Gamblers Siroky and Wolanin Net Key Tallies, Lumberjacks Sweep Green Bay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Malone and Jackson Lead Saints to 4-2 Win in Cedar Rapids - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede End 10-Game Road Swing with Come from Behind Win at Chicago - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Storm Sweep Bucs with 4-2 Win - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers Fall in Shootout 5-4 - Omaha Lancers
- Mattson Grabs Game Winner as First USHL Goal - Bloomington Thunder
- Sioux City Gets Best of Madison on Saturday - Madison Capitols
- Game Notes vs Waterloo - Youngstown Phantoms
- Caps Look to Take Down Strand's Former Squad - Madison Capitols
- Playoff Hopes Still Alive as Team USA Returns - Bloomington Thunder
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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