Sports stats

Thunder and Lancers Battle in Game 2

January 30, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington Thunder Skate against the Omaha Lancers
Bloomington Thunder Skate against the Omaha Lancers
(Bloomington Thunder)

OMAHA, Nebraska - Saturday night's Bloomington Thunder game from Ralston Arena completes a weekend series with the Omaha Lancers. The two clash for their second game of the weekend after a 4-1 decision on Friday night. The Thunder (20-12-3-1) are in fifth place of the Eastern Conference and are seven points behind the top team, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. The Lancers (19-14-2-1) are in third, four points out of first place in the Western Conference.

Game Notes: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/bloomingtonthunder/thunder-news/news_385447

Listen live to all Thunder games this season by going to portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/. Tonight's broadcast begins at 6:45 p.m. for pregame coverage. Games will also be broadcast with live video on FastHockey.com. Don't forget to check out the Thunder's Twitter account, @BLMThunder, for updates during the game with our hashtag #BLMvsOM.

Friday night the Thunder put 19 shots on net through the first two periods, but were held off the board by Zack Skog until Alec Mehr scored in the third. It was Mehr's fifth of the season as the second year forward gave the Thunder life in the final period. The Lancers only netted one through the first two as well, on a power play opportunity. To open the third, Omaha put two in to take a 3-0 lead. Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) suffered just his sixth loss of the season making 28 saves in the game.

Bloomington's leading scorers were held off the board by the Lancers on Friday night, putting an end to two impressive point streaks. Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) ends his nine game point streak with 15 points (10g, 5a) to help him catapult to the top of the Thunder scoring leaders with 29 points (15g, 14a) in 36 games. Bakers streak is the third longest in the United States Hockey League this season and his seven game goal streak was the second longest at seven games earlier this year. Defenseman Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) was in the midst of an eight game point streak where the point man netted three goals and eight assists. It was the first game in 2016 that Davies has not been recorded on the score sheet.

The Lancers however did see a streak continue. Nick Rivera (Minnesota State University-Mankato) scored the final goal of the game Friday night and has the longest active goal streak in the USHL at four games. Over those four games, he has five goals, helping him to a team leading 16 on the season. The Lancer captain is second on the team in points with 25 (16g, 9a), two behind Josh French (Minnesota State University-Mankato) with 27 (10g, 17a).

With five chances on the power play the Thunder were held off special teams for just the second time since the New Year. Omaha's penalty kill is the best in the USHL with an 87.2 rate of success and allowing just 18 goals on the season on the man advantage. Bloomington's second ranked power play with 28 goals will look to break that trend for the Lancers on Saturday night.

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, February 12th - 7 p.m. - The Thunder battle with the Green Bay Gamblers to open a weekend series from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Doors open at 6 p.m. and until puck drop there are $1 draft beers and soft drinks at the Coliseum concession stands. Tickets start at $10 for the game and could go even lower with youth, senior, and military discounts. Call the Thunder office at (309) 434-2980 for more information and the best deals on tickets.




Images from this story

Bloomington Thunder and and the Omaha Lancers
Bloomington Thunder and and the Omaha Lancers
 Bloomington Thunder Skate against the Omaha Lancers
Bloomington Thunder Skate against the Omaha Lancers
  



United States Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2016


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.

Other Recent Bloomington Thunder Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central