Thunder Fall in Game 1 from Cedar Rapids

Published on April 15, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A late charge by the Bloomington Thunder wasnot large enough to overcome an early lead as the team fell 7-3 in the firstgame of their Eastern Conference Semifinal. The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders provedwhy they were the Anderson Cup Champions as they tallied for six in the openingtwo periods. Bloomington rebounded in the third to score three and buildmomentum for game two but it was not enough for a comeback over the Riders.Bloomington is down 1-0 in the series with game two to come Saturday night atthe same time from the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Logan Lambdin (Michigan State University) led the Thunder in goals during the regularseason and scored his first post-season goal just under two minutes into thefinal period. A low angle shot from the corner beat the RoughRiders goaltenderjust inside the post to put the team on the board.

After the Riders answered afew minutes later, the Thunder came back to score on the power play. Patrick Curry (Boston University)netted his first goal of the playoffs, tucking it around the crease and intothe net. Jake Slaker (St, LawrenceUniversity) picked up and assist on the play as the Thunder cut the game to7-2.

With less than two minutesremaining, Bloomington put a cap on their three goal period with a back doorjam from Tarek Baker (University ofWisconsin). Jeremy Davies(Northeastern University) rifled a pass across the ice to Baker, waiting onthe side of the net, for a one timer.

The teams were evenly matchedthrough 10 minutes of hockey to start the game, but two quick chances separatedby 35 seconds meant the difference between a 0-0 game and a 2-0 lead after thefirst. Flying into the zone was MattFilipe (Northeastern University) on the right circle to find a quick passand fire it to the back of the net. The RoughRider forward worked it to theback of the net just inside the post to take the 1-0 lead 11 minutes into theperiod. Then John Snoodgrass (ColgateCollege) was fed a pass in front by LukeMorgan (Lake Superior State University) of the net for a battle that workedinto the net.

The RoughRiders held theThunder off the power play until the third period but earned chances of theirown. Bloomington would end the night stopping all but one of their eightchances. The number one ranked Thunder power play from the regular season was2-for-3 in the game despite the RoughRiders top ranked penalty kill from theregular season.

The second period surge sawgoals from Morgan, Pavel Tkachkov, Jacob Hayhurst (RPI), and Cal Burke (University of Notre Dame).The Thunder made a goaltending switch in the middle of the second period after Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan)had already seen 22 shots in just 27 minutes of play. Logan Halladay (Merrimack College) finished the game with 11 savesfor the Thunder.

Ben Blacker (Western Michigan University) was officially awarded 27 saves on 30 shots inthe game as the Thunder peppered him with a game high 15 in the third.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2016


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