PrairieThunder to face Wings
Published on November 29, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
Kalamazoo, the hottest team in the International Hockey League, invades U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Saturday for a 7:05 p.m. contest. The Wings have won eight straight games, including four straight on the road, for a 10-6-0-0 record and 20 points.
The Wings trail first-place Muskegon by one point in the standings after starting the season with a 2-6 record. Kalamazoo started the weeked with a 7-4 victory over Bloomington just 72 hours ago on Thanksgiving at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The Wings won, 4-1, at Flint on Friday.
The PrairieThunder, which had lost three straight, got back on the winning side Friday with a 5-1 decision at Muskegon as goaltender Scott Fankhouser stopped 27 of 28 shots. The victory moved the PrairieThunder into a fifth-place tie with Flint with 12 points and a 6-9-0-0 record.
Kalamazoo leads the all-time series between the team, 11-5-0-2, and has a 2-1 advantage this year. The Wings are 1-1 in Bloomington and 5-4 in road games. The PrairieThunder is 4-5 at home and 4-2 in games on Saturday
Parson's watch at 674
Bloomington's Don Parsons needs just four goals to become the all-time leader in career goals scored in professional minor league hockey. Parsons moved into second-place on the all-time list this season with 674 in 17 years. Former Flint coach Kevin Kerr is the all-time leader with 677.
The Boston native also needs just four points to reach the 1,300 mark. His current 1,296 points is just 14 shy of moving him into the 15th spot on the all-time list. Parsons has averaged 41 goals per season and 80 points per year during his career. His goals and points scored are first among active players.
Parsons is 49th in the all-time assists list with 622 and is 92nd in games played at 971. Both of those marks are second among active players.
PrairieThunder league leaders
John Booras - Sixth overall in scoring with 22 points; First in power play goals with five
Don Parsons - Seventh overall in scoring with 21 points; First in goals scored with 13; Fifth in shots at 75
Shaun Fisher - Among defensemen, fourth in scoring with 11 points; Second in power play assists with six; Third in overall assists with 10
Sam Miller - Third overall and first among defensemen in penalty minutes with 70
Travis Granbois - Fifth overall in penalty minutes with 55
John Nail - Third in overall shooting percentage at .308
A.J. Bozoian - Third among defensemen in shots with 48
On the mend
Defenseman Geoff Patton - out 2 to 6 weeks with shoulder separation suffered Nov. 21 at Kalamazoo
Defenseman Jason Lepine - recovering from ACL surgery. Hopes to return in March
Slapshots and saves
The PrairieThunder allowed its fewest points of the season on Friday in its 5-1 win at first-place Muskegon
The PrairieThunder scored the first goal of the game Friday to snap a streak of 11 straight games that had seen the opponent strike first. Bloomington has only enjoyed scoring the first goal three times in 15 games and two of those occurred in the first three games
For the first time this season, Don Parsons is not the team leader in points. Jon Booras took over the team lead on Friday by scoring two points to give him 22.
Booras and Parsons have scored one or more points in seven games
Brett Holmberg has scored at least one point in 11 of the team's 15 games, while Parsons has netted at least one point in 10 games.
Holmberg already has 17 points after scoring just 31 in 76 games as a rookie last season. Likewise, teammate Brent Clarke has scored nine points after scoring only 12 in 73 games during his rookie campaign a year ago.
Forward Travis Granbois, who has spent most of his time on defense to fill a void, has scored at least one point in 10 of 15 games.
Forward John Nail, who missed eight games with a broken finger, has scored at least one point in four of the seven games he has played.
Defenseman A.J. Bozoian has scored at least one point in the last three games.
Goalie Scott Fankhouser already has two assists, which is a franchise record.
In the future
The PrairieThunder plays Port Huron in its next game on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Coliseum where there will be a Thunder-iffic food deal.
Fans will be able to purchase two hot dogs, two soft drinks and one popcorn for $10, a savings of more than half off the regular price.
Thursday's game also marks the beginning of "Holiday Spirit with the PrairieThunder" where fans will have the opportunity to take ornaments decorated with PrairieThunder player's pictures off Christmas trees throughout the concourse.
The ornaments will have items (paper products, baby food and supplies, etc.) listed on the reverse side of the player's picture that fans can purchase and return to U.S. Cellular Coliseum at games on Dec. 12 and 13 that will be donated to the Salvation Army and Home Sweet Home Ministries
U.S. Cellular Coliseum also is a drop-off point for the annual McLean County Toys for Tots campaign. Fans are encouraged to bring canned food goods to donate at the Dec. 12 and 13 games for a chance to win an autographed PrairieThunder hockey stick and team picture.
Fans also can bring stuffed animals to the Dec. 13 game and participate in the annual Teddy Toss. After the PrairieThunder scores its first goal that night, fans can throw the stuffed animals on the ice.
Zack and Cody coming
Dylan and Cole Sprouse, child stars of the Disney Channel Show "Suite Life on Deck" and "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" will make their first appearance in Central Illinois at the Bloomington PrairieThunder hockey game on Dec. 13.
Dylan and Cole will sign autographs on the US Cellular Coliseum outer concourse from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Doors to the Coliseum will open at 6 p.m.
There is a limit of one free autograph per person on a customer's supplied item. Colored 8 x 10 autographed pictures will be available to purchase for $5 at the autograph table area. No photographs will be allowed in order to accommodate as many people as possible through the line.
Patrons must have a paid ticket to the 7:05 p.m. PrairieThunder hockey game versus Kalamazoo to gain access to the autograph line. A game ticket does not guarantee an autograph due to the strict time frame Zack and Cody are appearing for.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 29, 2008
- Icehawks Advance To Second Place Tie In IHL With Victory - Port Huron Icehawks
- Bloomington's Scott Fankhouser Records 31 Saves to Shutout Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo Wings
- PrairieThunder earn 1-0 victory over Kalamazoo - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- PrairieThunder to face Wings - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Generals visit Port Huron tonight - Flint Generals
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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