Thunder Beat Surge in Pankewicz's Debut
Published on December 13, 2013 under SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
The Bloomington Thunder gave new head coach Greg Pankewicz a victory in his debut with a 5-1 win over the Mississippi Surge on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
The Thunder opened the night's scoring with 10:57 remaining in the opening period when Burke Gallimore reached a bouncing puck deep and slipped it inside the right post. The Thunder increased their lead to 2-0 just 32 seconds into the second period when Gallimore forced a turnover and Dennis Sicard scored through the five-hole from the bottom of the right circle. The Thunder pushed the advantage to 3-0 with 12:31 left in the middle chapter when Tyler Noseworthy forced a turnover high in the attacking zone and wristed a drive top shelf, which ended the night for starting Surge goalie Dan Clarke. A power play goal by Travis Granbois at the left post on feeds from Kevin Walrod and Ron Cramer with 9:46 left in the second period increased the hosts' lead to 4-0.
The Surge finally scored with 16:48 left in regulation just as their power play expired on a wrister by Jarkko Leppanen on the glove side just inside the right post. Gallimore recorded his second goal of the game when a deflected puck landed on his stick at the inside edge of the right circle followed by his blast to put the Thunder ahead 5-1 with 14:24 remaining in regulation.
Gallimore recorded a three-point night by adding an assist to his two goals while Sicard registered an assist and a fight to complete his Gordie Howe hat trick. B.J. O'Brien recorded the win with 28 saves. The teams each recorded 29 shots. The Thunder were 1-of-2 on the power play while the Surge came up empty in four chances.
The teams play the second of their three-game weekend series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Coliseum on an activity-filled night featuring the Teddy Bear Toss for Toys for Tots when fans are asked to throw a new stuffed animal onto the ice after the first Thunder goal. Collection boxes for new, unwrapped presents will also be located on the concourse. Saturday is a special day for kids as those 12 and under get in free with a paid admission and a flyer presented at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office, courtesy of Easton Sports. The flyer can be found on www.bloomingtonthunder.com and the team's Facebook page. Kids 12 and under can also eat free (hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, fries and popcorn) on Saturday until the first Thunder goal courtesy of SERVPRO.
The series continues Sunday at 3:05 p.m. with fans invited to skate with the Thunder after the game. The game can be heard inside U.S. Cellular Coliseum on 93.7 FM and on WJBC.com and America One Sports subscription video. Links to the broadcasts can be found on the home page of www.bloomingtonthunder.com. The latest on the Thunder can be found on the team web site, Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder) and by calling 309-434-2980.
SPHL Stories from December 13, 2013
- RiverKings Fall in Shootout against Huntsville - Mississippi RiverKings
- Trask OT Goal Lifts IceGators over Pensacola - Louisiana IceGators
- Bloomington Steals Surge Spark, Wins 5-1 - Mississippi Surge
- Pensacola Falls to Louisiana 4-3 in OT - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Thunder Beat Surge in Pankewicz's Debut - Bloomington Thunder
- Sobotka Is First RiverKings' Call-Up - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rivermen Waive Doerrsam - Peoria Rivermen
- Second Period Offense Leads RiverKings in Win - Mississippi RiverKings
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