PrairieThunder falls in opener
Published on October 17, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Bloomington PrairieThunder certainly played the part of the gracious guest Saturday at Walker Arena for Muskegon's celebration of 50 years of hockey in the community.
The PrairieThunder allowed three goals in each period in its International Hockey League season opener en route to a 9-3 loss before 3,395 fans. The win evened Muskegon's record at 1-1.
Muskegon hit the PrairieThunder with three straight goals midway through the first period, including two in a 27-second span. John DiPace scored the first goal on a rebound shot with 12:29 remaining when a Jason Lawmaster shot caromed off PrairieThunder goalie Paulo Colaiacovo. Lawmaster and Ndur were credited with assists.
Matt Krug added the Lumberjacks' second goal off a Todd Robinson assist at the 12:02 mark. The third goal came on a power play goal off another rebound by David Rohls with assists to DiPace and Krub.
Robin Bouchard started the second period scoring at the 18:20 mark on an assist by Krug. Brian Bicek added the second goal at the 14:29 mark on an assist by J.T. Dahlinger. Travis Banga scored the final goal of the period off assists by Lubos Velebny and Robinson with 9:27 remaining.
Bouchard gave the Lumberjacks a 7-0 lead off an assist by Robinson with 14:58 remaining on a power play before the PrairieThunder came to life, scoring three goals in a 28-second span. Russ Smith scored the first goal on a power play off assists by Robin Gomez and Ryan Finnerty.
Gomez scored 16 seconds later on a Finnerty assist. Bill Bagron completed the Bloomington scoring 12 seconds later off assists by Jon Booras and Craig Macdonald. Muskegon's Matt Robinson and Jason Lawmaster added goals for Muskegon to complete the scoring.
The PrairieThunder owned a 33-28 advantage in shots. Andrew Martin replaced Colaiacovo in net after Bicek's goal. Colaiacovo faced 14 shots and gave up five goals. Martin faced 14 shots and had 10 saves. Sebastien Centomo was the winning goal by stopping 30 of 33 shots.
There were 108 minutes in penalties with Bloomington earning 55 and Muskegon 53. The PrairieThunder did show it's a much more physical team as four different players were engaged in four fights in the first 3:07, starting with a Justin Sawyer-Rumun Ndur altercation off the opening face-off.
The PrairieThunder travels to Dayton for a 4 p.m. game Sunday. The Gems have a 0-1 record. Bloomington opens its home season Oct. 24 with a 7:05 p.m. contest against Dayton at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 17, 2009
- Mike Kinnie Hat Trick Boosts Port Huron To 5-4 Win - Port Huron Icehawks
- PrairieThunder falls in opener - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Mallards Open with 3-1 Win in Flint - Quad City Mallards
- PrairieThunder Opens Season - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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