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Thunder Extend to Six Straight

December 19, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington Thunder in Front of Chicago Steel Goal
Bloomington Thunder in Front of Chicago Steel Goal
(Bloomington Thunder, Credit: Niki D Photography)

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - For the first time this season the Bloomington Thunder topped their opponent by over one goal in a 4-1 finish with the Chicago Steel. The Saturday night game gave the Thunder a six game win streak, which is the longest in team history and third longest in the United States Hockey League this season.

Bloomington (14-8-2-1) is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 31 points this season. Chicago (10-14-2-2) is in seventh place with 24 points. The Thunder are just shy of first place in the conference, three points behind the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Blake Gober continued his streak as the hottest goal scorer for the Bloomington Thunder with his third straight goal, and ninth of the season. Gober had help unofficially from Vlad Dzhioshvili (Cornell University) who moved toward the net and caused a screen. The Thunder's leading scorer evaded two defensemen and shot the puck past John Lethemon (Michigan State University). The goal was initially waived off but ruled a good goal after conversation, giving the Thunder a 1-0 lead over the Steel with under 11 to play in the period.

Then the Thunder would connect on a power play with under a minute to play in the period as Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) picked up his fourth point in three games. Butrus Ghafari (Western Michigan University) shot a one-timer that was redirected right to Davies. The second year defenseman batted the puck in off the backhand and make it 2-0 at the intermission. With that goal, the Thunder were 1-5 on the power play and ended the night 4-4 on the penalty kill.

The Thunder had a 5-on-3 chance to extend the lead at the start of the third period but were unable to capitalize on the play. Lethemon stopped 29 shots in the game as the Thunder outshot the Steel 33-18.

Chicago was able to net their only goal in the second period. Bobby Hampton (Northeastern University) redirected his first goal of the season into the Thunder net eight minutes into the middle period. Ruslan Rakhmatov and Alex Frye earned assists on the play as Rakhmatov shot the puck off the faceoff win.

With a 2-1 lead to start the third, the Thunder were able to fend off the Steel on a power play and minutes later extended their lead. After a Mitchell Chaffee shot, Ethan Somoza (Bemidji State University) found Jake Durflinger on the far side of the net for a tap in. It was the Walnut Creek, CA native's seventh goal of the season to give them the 3-1 lead.

In the final two minutes, Bloomington's Logan Lambdin scored his seventh of the year on the empty net to seal the win. Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) earned help from the defense in the night but also made 17 saves to earn his 12th win of the season.

BOX SCORE

The Thunder have over a week off for their Christmas break, but will be back in action on Tuesday, December 29 in Sioux Falls, SD. They take on the Stampede to kick off a two game road stand to end the calendar year. The 7 p.m. game will be the second and final meeting between the Thunder and Stampede after a 4-3 win in October.

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, January 2nd - 7 p.m. - With the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where better to celebrate than with the Thunder for their second annual Star Wars night. There will be buy one get one free hot dogs from 6-7 p.m. and kids 12 and under get a free hot dog at the game. There are plenty of activities including the "Blast-A-Trooper" game on the concourse. Following the game there will be a post game skate with the team.

Holiday Hat Trick: Call the Thunder for their holiday hat trick package. For just $55 you get four tickets to an upcoming game, a Thunder team hat, and a Thunder mini stick! That's a value of over $90. Visit the Thunder office or call (309) 434-2980 for this amazing limited time offer.




Images from this story

Bloomington Thunder Celebrate a Goal
Bloomington Thunder Celebrate a Goal
(Niki D Photography)		 Bloomington Thunder in Front of Chicago Steel Goal
Bloomington Thunder in Front of Chicago Steel Goal
(Niki D Photography)		  



United States Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2015


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