Thunder Drop Season Finale to Ice Flyers

March 22, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Thunder dropped their season finale as a close game opened up in the third period on the way to a 6-1 win by the Pensacola Ice Flyers on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Another scoreless first period mirrored Friday's affair, but the Ice Flyers scored first on Saturday as Joe Caveney weaved to the front of the net to beat Thunder goalie B.J. O'Brien at close range just 15 seconds into the middle period. The Thunder evened the game with 15:35 left in the second period just seven seconds into a power play when Eddie Olczyk wristed a score from the top of the left circle assisted by Curtis Megginson. The guests regained a lead at 2-1 with 8:15 left before the second intermission just moments after their power play expired on a wrist shot from the slot by John Dunbar.

The Ice Flyers grabbed a 3-1 lead with 16:45 remaining in regulation with a loose puck in the crease was pushed in by Ryan Salvis. A shorthanded goal on a breakaway by Dunbar just 53 seconds later put the Floridians ahead 4-1, Joshua Turnbull hit an off-balance shot in the slot for a 5-1 lead with 12:11 left, and Mitchell Good found a loose puck just outside of the crease first for a 6-1 lead with 6:41 remaining.

O'Brien took the loss while stopping 37 shots while Peter DiSalvo earned the win with 34 saves. The Thunder were 1-for-6 on power play chances while the Ice Flyers were unsuccessful on their two opportunities.

Before the game, end-of-season awards were presented to Brandon Hew as Most Improved Player, Bobby Watson as Offensive Player of the Year, Curtis Megginson as Defensive Player of the Year, Dennis Sicard as the Fans' Favorite and Travis Granbois as Most Valuable Player.

The Ice Flyers take the top seed into next week's Southern Professional Hockey League President's Cup playoffs. The Thunder end the season with a record of 20-33-3 for 43 points and tenth place. Season tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now with early bird discounts available through May 23. For season tickets or more information, call the Thunder office at 309-434-2980. Information on the Thunder is available year-round on Facebook, Twitter and www.bloomingtonthunder.com.



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