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Stampede & Thunder Meet After 25 Week Hiatus

March 27, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Sioux Falls, SD - Over 25 weeks in the USHL season have gone by since the Bloomington Thunder last faced off with the Sioux Falls Stampede. The matchup is the first in Sioux Falls this season with puck drop at 7:05 pm CST from the Denny Sanford Premiere Center. Bloomington is 25-22-7, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, as the team looks for a playoff berth in their inaugural season. The game continues a six-game road trip for Bloomington with game two of a 3-in-4.

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.

In their first season USHL season, The Thunder have surpassed expectations. Head Coach Dennis Williams and company are just nine points out of a playoff spot with six games to play. In order to remain in the picture the Thunder will need to win out and get some help from Muskegon and Dubuque. The team is on a three game win streak thanks in part to the goaltending of Logan Halladay (University of Minnesota). The Cary, NC native won those three making 73 saves for a .913 SVPT and a 2.27 GAA. Matt Mendelson (Penn State University) is having a career year with 37 points (14g, 23a) through 50 games. The leading scorer had both the go ahead goal in the third period and the game winning goal in the shootout Wednesday night in Green Bay.

Special teams have been deadly for the Thunder in the month of March. In seven games the Thunder power play has eight goals on 25 chances, a success rate of 32.0%. Along with the power play, the penalty kill has held it's own. Only five power play goals have been scored against the Thunder in those games, killing off 26 of 31. The power play rate would rank as the leagues best and the 83.9% kill would rank tied for fifth if the percentages were season long numbers.

Sioux Falls has had much change since the Thunder last saw the Western Conference opponent. The Stampede are 29-20-5 and in fourth place looking to secure the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. 7 different players who suited up in the season opener are no longer with the Stampede, including Thunder defenseman Nikolas Koberstein (University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Montreal Canadiens) who was exchanged for now Stampede d-man Matt Nuttle (Cornell University) earlier this season. They also added scoring threats like Cooper Marody (University of Michigan) from Muskegon and Mikey Eyssimont (St. Cloud State University) from Fargo to solidify their attack. Goaltender Stefanos Lekkas (University of Vermont) has a 21-12-3 record between the pipes with a 2.77 GAA and a .903 SVPT.

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 27, 2015


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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