Playoffs Bound PrairieThunder Back on the Road in Texas
March 7, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
It's another week in Texas for the playoff bound Bloomington PrairieThunder (32-17-5) as the team will again travel 2200+ miles playing four games in six days. The PrairieThunder went 1-1 this past week in Bloomington. On Friday (3/4), Bloomington defeated Fort Wayne 6-2 and then dropped a 5-2 decision to Quad City on Sunday. Prior to Sunday's defeat, the PrairieThunder had captured points in the CHL standings in eleven straight games (8-0-3).
Bloomington begins the week in third place in the CHL's Turner (Northern) Conference, three points behind both Colorado and Rapid City who are tied for first place. The PrairieThunder still has three games in hand on Colorado and five on Rapid City. The fourth place Missouri Mavericks have closed to one point behind the PrairieThunder.
This Week's Schedule:
Monday (3/7): Travel day to Richland Hills, Texas
Tuesday (3/8): 7:05pm: Away Game @ Texas Brahmas
Wednesday (3/9): Travel day to Odessa, Texas
Thursday (3/10): Practice in Odessa, Texas
Friday (3/11): 7:05pm: Away Game @ Odessa Jackalopes
Saturday (3/12): 7:05pm: Away Game @ Odessa Jackalopes
Sunday (3/13): 2:05pm: Away Game @ Allen Americans
Post game: Team returns to Bloomington
This Week's Games
Tuesday (3/8): 7:05pm: AT Texas Brahmas (Richland Hills, Texas)
WJBC-AM (1230), WJBC-FM (93.7), WJBC.com, CHL-TV
Watch the game at BlueLine Nightclub, 602 N. Main Street
The second (and final) meeting of the regular season between the two teams. Bloomington won the first meeting ten days ago (February 27th), a 4-1 victory in Richland Hills, a suburb of Fort Worth. The Brahmas remain in second place in the CHL's Berry (Southern) Conference with a record of 31-19-5, 17 points behind the first place Allen Americans. Like Bloomington, the Brahmas have qualified for post season play. Texas and Allen have played each other nine times during the regular season and Allen has won seven of the games. However, the Brahmas have won two of the last three meetings.
Friday (3/11): 7:05pm: AT Odessa Jackalopes
WEZC-FM (95.9), WJBC.com, CHL-TV
Watch the game at BlueLine Nightclub, 602 N. Main Street
Second of three meetings with the Jackalopes. The PrairieThunder defeated Odessa 5-4 way back on October 22nd at the home opener in Bloomington. Odessa begins the week in sixth place in the Berry Conference with a record of 24-26-6.
Saturday (3/12): 7:05pm: AT Odessa Jackalopes
WEZC-FM (95.9), WJBC.com, CHL-TV
Watch the game at BlueLine Nightclub, 602 N. Main Street
Final meeting of the regular season against Odessa. Odessa began play in the 1997-98 hockey season as a member of the Western Professional Hockey League.
Sunday (3/13): 2:05pm: AT Allen Americans
WEZC-FM (95.9), WJBC.com, CHL-TV
Watch the game at BlueLine Nightclub, 602 N. Main Street
Second of two meetings with the Berry Conference leading Americans. Allen defeated Bloomington 3-2 in overtime back on February 26th at the Allen Events Center outside of Dallas. The Americans have posted the best record in the Central Hockey League this season with a current record of 41-13-2. The Americans have qualified for the CHL Playoffs and have an outstanding home record of 20-6-1.
PrairieThunder's Next Home Game at U.S. Cellular Coliseum is Wednesday, March 16th vs. the Missouri Mavericks @ 7:05pm!
PrairieThunder Playoff Ticket Packages & 2011-12 Season Tickets Now on Sale!
Playoff ticket packages for the upcoming Central Hockey League Playoffs (which begin at the end of the month) and 2011-12 PrairieThunder Season Tickets are now on sale. Call the PrairieThunder office during the week at 309-585-0507 for additional information or stop by the PrairieThunder information table during PrairieThunder home games. The CHL playoffs consist of four rounds. If Bloomington has home ice advantage in every round, the team could play a maximum of fourteen additional home playoff games.
PrairieThunder in the Community
The PrairieThunder will be participating in this coming Saturday's (March 12 th) "Sharing of the Green" parade in Uptown Normal. The parade begins at 10am and PrairieThunder mascot "Chip" and members of the Fox & Hounds "Foxy Ladies" will represent the team.
PrairieThunder Notes
Congratulations to PrairieThunder play by play broadcaster Greg Halbleib who has been named the new radio voice of the Normal CornBelters baseball team.....Only three PThunder players have appeared in all 54 regular season games. They are Jason Dale, John Snowden, and Bill Bagron.....Friday night's victory over Fort Wayne was the team's 32nd of the year which sets a new franchise mark. Previously, Bloomington's best win total was during the 07/08 season when the team won 31. Last season's total was 29.....Brett Holmberg has taken over as the team leader in goals scored with 19.....Holmberg continues to lead the team in plus / minus at +17.....Garrett Klotz is second at +16 while leading the team in penalty minutes with 117.....Jason Dale leads the team in assists with 32 and in scoring with 48 points (16 goals & 32 assists).....In the team's last ten games where they went 7-1-2, goaltender Marco Emond is 3-0-1 with a 1.49 goals against average and a 95.1% save percentage, while Brad Phillips is 4-1-1 with a 1.79 goals against average and a 93.2% save percentage.
PrairieThunder Tickets
Bloomington PrairieThunder single game tickets are on sale at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum Box Office. Tickets are on sale at the Coliseum Box Office Monday through Friday from 11am to 5:30pm and on weekends when there are events in the Coliseum. PrairieThunder single game tickets are also available by going to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum website: http://www.uscellularcoliseum.com/events/all/ and click on Tickets & Seating. And for Prairie Thunder season tickets and group sales information, please call the PrairieThunder at 309-585-0507 or go to our website: www.prairiethunderhockey.com.
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