Sports stats



Thunder Battle Back, Hold on Late for Win over Chicago

April 3, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bensenville, IL - In their final meeting of the 2014-15 season, the Bloomington Thunder stood toe-to-toe with the Chicago Steel in another one goal affair, finishing with a 4-3 win. Vladislav Dzhioshvili scored his first career game-winning goal for the Thunder, as they battled from behind twice and held off the Steel in the waning seconds of the third period. The Thunder are now 26-24-7 and sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with three games to play.

The first period finished with the Thunder on the penalty kill for a high sticking double minor and Chicago would capitalize with under a minute to play. Marcel Godbout (Michigan State University) netted his 11th goal of the season on a one timer from the point. Assists went to Dennis Gilbert (University of Notre Dame) and Connor Murphy (University of Michigan) off the faceoff win. Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) stopped 16 of 17 shots in the period.

Pat Curry would make up for the high sticking call with a goal to start the second. The Schaumburg, IL rifled one to the back of the net off the draw to tie it at one. Carson Vance answered right back with a goal under three minutes later to give Chicago the 2-1 lead.

Ryan Galt (University of Nebraska-Omaha) grabbed his second point of the night and 92nd of his USHL career to again tie the game up for the Thunder. He beat Trevor Gorsuch on the blocker side to get the power play goal at 12:18. With under three minutes to play in the period, Logan Lambdin sped behind the Steel defense toward the net and potted a highlight reel goal. The Carleton, MI native tucked the puck by Gorsuch as he tumbled toward the boards, breaking the 2-2 tie.

Bloomington started the third on the penalty kill and Gilbert would grab his second point of the game to tie the game at three. With under ten minutes to play, the Thunder would respond with a power play goal of their own. Dzhioshvili scored his second career USHL goal on a back door feed from Shane Bednard (Bowling Green State University) with only one second remaining on the power play chance.

Moments later, the Thunder would have to kill off a long 5-on-3 penalty to fend off the Steel. Coach Williams and the team drew up the plans perfectly and kept the puck out of the net thanks to some timely blocks and saves by Lavigne.

After Coach Williams called a time out with under 19 seconds left, Bloomington held off a final surge by Chicago including a final scramble in front of the net.

The Thunder win the overall season series with Chicago 5-1-0 and put themselves above the Steel in the Eastern Conference standings. Lavigne finished the night with 32 saves and the win. Gorsuch suffered his third straight loss with 25 saves in the game.



United States Hockey League Stories from April 3, 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.

Other Recent Bloomington Thunder Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central