Thunder Goalie O'Brien Receives Weekly SPHL Honor
December 11, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
The Bloomington Thunder have earned their second weekly award of the season as goaltender B.J. O'Brien has been named Easton Player of the Week in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
O'Brien recorded a 1-1-0 mark with a 1.52 goals against average and a .951 save percentage in two games last weekend at the Mississippi RiverKings. O'Brien stopped 30 of 31 shots in Saturday's 2-1 victory followed by a strong 28-save performance in Sunday's 2-0 loss.
The native of Lakeville, Minn. is in his third professional season after a standout career at St. Norbert College, where he made 70 saves but took the loss in the 2010 NCAA Division III championship game but recorded the win in the 2011 final while being named Most Outstanding Player for both titles. In his senior season at St. Norbert, O'Brien went 22-2-1 with a 1.64 goals against average and .931 save percentage and earned All-American, All-Conference, All-USCHO and USCHO Division III Player of the Year honors.
New coach Greg Pankewicz will be behind the bench when the Thunder host the Mississippi Surge on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:05 and Sunday afternoon at 3:05. The games can be heard on 93.7 FM inside U.S. Cellular Coliseum and online at WJBC.com and viewed via subscription on America One Sports. Links to the online broadcasts can be found on the home page of www.bloomingtonthunder.com.
Friday is Pepsi Date Night featuring two tickets for $20 when bringing a Pepsi product to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office.
Saturday features the annual Teddy Bear Toss after the first Thunder goal with additional collection boxes for new, unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots throughout the concourse. Also on Saturday, children 12 and under get in free with a paid adult admission and a flyer found at www.bloomingtonthunder.com and the Thunder Facebook page courtesy of Easton Sports, plus kids 12 and under eat free (hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, fries and popcorn) until the first Thunder goal courtesy of SERVPRO. On Sunday, fans are invited to skate with the Thunder after the game. More information is available on www.bloomingtonthunder.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder) or by calling 309-434-2980. The Bloomington Junior Blaze will host the Michigan Ice Dogs in Midwest Junior Hockey League play before all three Thunder contests, facing off at 3 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Thunder information can also be found on Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder). Group and multi-game discounts are also available by calling the Thunder office at 309-434-2980.
SPHL Stories from December 11, 2013
- Thunder Goalie O'Brien Receives Weekly SPHL Honor - Bloomington Thunder
- Blackhawks Announce Partnership with Thunder and Rivermen - Bloomington Thunder
- Bloomington's BJ O'Brien Named Easton Player of the Week - SPHL
- Illinois Pro Sports and Chicago Blackhawks Announce Partnership - Peoria Rivermen
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