Thunder Break Skid with Triumph over Rivermen

February 11, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Thunder broke a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Peoria Rivermen on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The Rivermen scored first with only 16 seconds remaining in the opening period when Dean Yakura put in a rebound of a Parker Stanfield wraparound attempt on the second stab, also assisted by Adam Hartley, to give Peoria a 1-0 advantage at the first intermission.

The Thunder evened the game at 1-1 with 5:55 showing on the middle chapter clock when Bobby Watson redirected a Curtis Megginson shot from the right point, also assisted by Paul D'Agostino.

The Thunder grabbed a 2-1 lead with 7:22 left in regulation when Reid MacLeod crashed the net and knocked a falling tap-in of a Travis Granbois rebound with Craig Cole getting the second assist in his Thunder debut.

B.J. O'Brien earned the win in goal with 29 saves while Eric Levine made 27 stops in the loss. The Thunder were 1-for-3 on the power play while Peoria was scoreless in four chances. The Thunder win was their third straight over the Rivermen and ended Peoria's six-game point streak.

The Thunder continue their homestand with three games this weekend beginning with Friday's Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring an appearance by Hockey Hall of Famer Tony Esposito as well as ticket giveaways and team photos to the first 1,500 fans. The game against the Mississippi RiverKings begins at 7:05 p.m. and is also a Pepsi Date Night featuring two tickets for only $20 when bringing a Pepsi product to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office.

Saturday's 7:05 p.m. rematch with the RiverKings is the annual Guns and Hoses Night, beginning with the annual battle on the ice between local police and firefighters at 3 p.m. The Thunder will wear special Guns and Hoses jerseys during the game that will be auctioned immediately after the final horn with all proceeds going to Special Olympics Illinois. Saturday is also a Kids Eat Free Night sponsored by SERVPRO in which kids 12 and under can eat free hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, popcorn and fries until the first Thunder goal. Sunday is Kids Day with $5 admission for those 12 and under and $3 kids meals plus a post-game skate for all ages with the Thunder after the game.

The Bloomington Junior Blaze are also in action in their final home games of the season as they host the Alpena Street Cats on Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. For more information on the Thunder, visit www.bloomingtonthunder.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder) or call 309-434-2980. For individual and gameday tickets, visit the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office or call 309-434-2679.



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