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Special Teams Cost Thunder in Sunday Matinee

February 21, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The Bloomington Thunder battled back from a first period deficit against the Dubuque Fighting Saints but ultimately couldn't hang on for the win in a 4-2 final on Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Saints' (30-13-1-0) early lead would be put to the test at the start of the third period. Bloomington (24-17-3-1) scored goals back to back to take the 2-1 advantage.

Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) opened the goal scoring for the Thunder shorthanded to start the third period. Stepping up at center ice, the United States Hockey League's leading defensive goal scorer stepped over the blue line for a 2-on-1. He faked the pass across and put his wrist shot past the shoulder of the Fighting Saints goaltender Hunter Miska (University of Minnesota-Duluth).

When Davies tied the game, the Thunder brought on the rest of their penalty kill and took the lead moments later. Alec Mehr picked up a similar play, this time off a pass from Butrus Ghafari (Western Michigan University). Moving down the left side, he head faked a pass across on a 2-on-1 before firing a shot on the inside of the left post 1:30 later.

Dubuque scored to open the game as Petter Makitalo put his 13th of the season in on a cross-ice power play shot. Brett Boeing grabbed the assist on the power play goal at 18:12 of the first.

A penalty-riddled game saw 46 minutes called toward special teams and the Fighting Saints took advantage of the numbers. Dubuque ended the night 2-for-6 on the power play while the Thunder finished the night 0-for-8 but also had a goal scored shorthanded to open the third period.

The second period was scoreless as both goaltenders turned away shots in the period. Miska made a game high 17 saves in the period toward a season high 42 saves in the game. He now has 24 wins this season for the Fighting Saints. Logan Halladay (Merrimack College) made 25 saves in the game for a weekend total of 52.

Nathan Sucese (Penn State University) leads the team with 45 points this season and scored his 18th of the year to tie it on a breakaway. With less than four minutes in the game Dubuque was on a power play and scored the game-winning goal. Casey Johnson (University of North Dakota) let a slap shot go from the right point and scored his eighth of the season. Capping the game with an empty net goal was Mitchell Smith (Yale University) in the final second resulting in a 4-2 final score.

The Thunder suffered their third straight loss of the weekend and Dubuque avoided overtime for the third straight night to improve to 7-0-1-0 in their last eight games. They are tied for first in the Eastern Conference with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Box Score: http://bit.ly/21juATV

Thursday the Thunder will take on the United States National Team Development Program Under-17 team for the fourth and final time this season. The game in Plymouth, MI begins a second consecutive three in three for the Thunder. The first two three in threes for the Thunder come in consecutive weekends as the Thunder will play six games in nine days.

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, March 4th - 7 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks night is back at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum to bring a slice of the reigning Stanley Cup Championship organization to Central Illinois. 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Jamal Mayers will be at the game signing autographs and dropping the ceremonial puck after soloist Jim Cornelison performs the Star Spangled Banner. The Blackhawks Bud Light Ice Crew will also be at the game to sign autographs and meet fans in the stands. Get to the game early for $1 drafts and sodas all the way until puck drop. Tickets start at $10 with $5 youth tickets when you call ahead. In order to receive these discounts you MUST call ahead. To reach the Thunder office, call (309) 434-2980.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2016


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