Thunder Beat League Leaders in OT Thriller
November 15, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Thunder earned their first home win with only seconds remaining in overtime by knocking off the first-place Louisiana IceGators 3-2 on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
A Thunder turnover in front of their own net resulted in a point-blank shot for a goal by Jake Trask to give Louisiana a lead only 3:47 into the game.
The Thunder quickly took the lead in the middle of the second period on goals only eight seconds apart. Tyler Noseworthy threw in a sharp-angle shot that bounced off a Gator skater and the goalie and into the net with 10:19 remaining, followed at 10:11 by a running drive in the slot by Burke Gallimore for a 2-1 Bloomington advantage. Another turnover in the Bloomington zone resulted in the second Gators goal as Adam Stuart scored a shorthanded tally with 2:42 remaining to send the game to the second intermission tied at 2-2.
After a scoreless third period and time ticking down in overtime, the Thunder collected the victory after Darick Ste-Marie stole the puck at the Louisiana blue line and skated in for a breakaway goal with just 11.8 seconds remaining in extra time.
Max Strang earned the win in goal with 36 saves while Matt Zenzola took the loss with 22 stops. Neither team scored on the power play with three chances given to Louisiana and two to the Thunder.
The Thunder host the IceGators again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. before visiting Louisiana to continue the four-game series next weekend. Saturday is another Kids Eat Free Night in which kids 12 and under can have free popcorn, hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos and fries from the 6 p.m. gate opening until the Thunder score their first goal. Call 309-434-2980 or visit www.bloomingtonthunder.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder) for more information on the Thunder.
Juniors roll: The Bloomington Junior Blaze captured a 10-4 victory over the Michigan Ice Dogs on Friday afternoon in Midwest Junior Hockey League play at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. MWJHL Defensive Player of the Week Steven Smoltz continued his hot November with four goals and four assists for Bloomington (4-9-0) while Dylan Farmer collected four goals and one assist and John Urmetz recorded four assists. Cam Lerner recorded 28 saves for the win. The teams rematch at 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
SPHL Stories from November 15, 2013
- Ice Bears' Super Hero Effort Shut out Havoc - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Ste-Marie OT Goal Lifts Thunder Past IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- RiverKings Win Overtime Thriller over Columbus - Mississippi RiverKings
- Third Period Lifts FireAntz Past Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunder Beat League Leaders in OT Thriller - Bloomington Thunder
- Game Recap: Ice Flyers Down Surge 4-2, Remain Undefeated in Biloxi - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Sheldrake Returns to RiverKings - Mississippi RiverKings
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