Thunder Hold off Late Flurry to Beat RiverKings
December 7, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Bloomington Thunder held off a furious late charge and broke a five-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Mississippi RiverKings on Saturday night at Landers Center.
The Thunder opened the scoring for the second straight night as Dustin Hopfner drilled a blast home from the right point on a feed from Travis Granbois with 12:52 remaining in the opening period.
After a scoreless second period, the RiverKings evened the game on a power play with 13:06 remaining in regulation on a rebound conversion by Charles Lachance, but the Thunder regained the lead just 35 seconds later on a running drive by Dan Barczuk assisted by Tyler Noseworthy and Kevin Walrod. The Thunder took two penalties in the final 2:36 and finished the game facing a two-man RiverKings advantage thanks to the power play and an extra attacker, but the Thunder held the hosts off the board for their first road win since November 1 at Fayetteville.
B.J. O'Brien earned the win in goal with 30 saves while the league's top goaltender, Dan McWhinney, took the loss with 28 stops.
The Thunder conclude their trip to Mississippi with a rematch against the RiverKings on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Pre-game begins at 2:45 on WJBC.com and America One Sports with links to the broadcast on the home page of www.bloomingtonthunder.com. The Thunder return home for three games next Friday, Saturday and Sunday against the Mississippi Surge, with highlights including Saturday's annual Teddy Bear Toss for Toys for Tots and Kids Eat Free courtesy of SERVPRO. Kids 12 and under also get free admission with a flyer available through the team's web site and Facebook pages with a paid adult admission. For more details, visit the team web site, Facebook, Twitter (BLMThunder) or call 309-434-2980.
SPHL Stories from December 7, 2013
- Newcomers Propel Rivermen to 4-3 Win - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunder Extend RiverKings' Skid to Three - Mississippi RiverKings
- Ice Bears Building Upon Success - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Fayetteville Snaps IceGator Win Streak - Louisiana IceGators
- Surge Shut out by Ross MacKinnon and the IceFlyers - Mississippi Surge
- Ice Flyers Down Surge 3-0 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Thunder Hold off Late Flurry to Beat RiverKings - Bloomington Thunder
- RiverKings Rally Late, Fall to Pensacola - Mississippi RiverKings
- Larsen Propels Rivermen to Third Straight Win - Peoria Rivermen
- Pensacola Downs RiverKings in Wild 6-5 Game - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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