Thunder Roll to Third Straight

January 16, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release

PLYMOUTH, Michigan - Another win for the Bloomington Thunder came behind a four goal outburst in the second period, as they beat the United States National Team Development Program Under-17 team 5-1 Saturday night. The Thunder (19-10-2-1) have extended to a three game win streak scoring 15 goals over that stretch. The NTDP (13-16-2-1) drop their third game of the season to the Thunder squad with three more meetings on the way.

Alec Mehr took control of the game with a three-point second period, netting two goals and an assist for Bloomington. The first came just one minute into the period as Vlad Dzhioshvili (Cornell University) finally cracked the score sheet after two shots off the post. Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) also picked up an assist on the back door tap in. Dzhioshvili would end the night with two points as did the captain, Slaker.

The captain would follow up the 17's only goal in the game with one of his own. The San Diego, CA native put the puck in on a cross ice pass from Mehr and gave himself his five points in his last three games. That was the eventual game winning goal but the Thunder were not done there.

The second of the night for Mehr came on the power play when Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) pushed the puck to the slot for a one timer at 10:41. The puck trickled in after Adam Scheel (University of Notre Dame) made the initial save and gave the Thunder a 3-1 lead. The Thunder would finish the game 1-for-6 on the man advantage and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The game was physical and the result was a scoreless first period. Despite chances for both team, no one could connect. Scheel ended the period with six saves and Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) also posted a scoreless first period. Dzhioshvili had the best chance with a shot that rang out off the post. Lavigne earned his 14th win of the season on 22 saves while Scheel suffered the loss on 33 stops, including some dazzling goaltending on the power play.

The final goal of the second period was netted by Sean Harrison (Union College) for his second in two games on a bullet shot under the cross bar. The Union commit netted his fourth of the season as Ryan Brushett (Providence College) and Cameron Spicer (University of Maine) each tallied helpers on the goal.

Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) put his mark on the game in the third with the fifth goal for the Thunder. The Verona, WI native broke down the ice for a 1-on-0 chance with Scheel and netted his ninth goal of a six game point streak. That is the longest active streak in the United States Hockey League and tied for second longest this season with Parker Tuomie (Minnesota State University-Mankato) of the Sioux Falls Stampede.

The lone goal for the 17's came in the second, as they were able to deny Lavigne his third career shutout. On a quick passing play, Logan Cockerill (Boston University) eventually found himself on the nearside post for a tuck in after Jacob Tortora (Boston College) fed him behind the Thunder defense. Cockerill's second of the game tied it for Team USA.

The Thunder took home the win behind 38 shots and a strong team game for the second straight night. They are now 6-0-0-0 against the under-17's all time.

Bloomington Thunder vs. the USNTDP

Bloomington Thunder Score on the USNTDP (USA Hockey/Rena Laverty)

Bloomington Thunder Clebrates a Goal vs. the USNTDP (USA Hockey/Rena Laverty)

United States Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2016

• Third Period Stretch Too Much - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stampede Come up Short in Omaha - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Steel Fall 4-1 Saturday To First Place - Chicago Steel
• Buccaneers Fall - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Late Explosion Catapults Storm, 6-3, over Bucs - Tri-City Storm
• Special Teams Key in Lancers' 5-3 Win over Stampede - Omaha Lancers
• Stars Drop Close Game to Fargo, 1-0 - Lincoln Stars
• Gamblers Rebound in Madison - Green Bay Gamblers
• Phantoms Sweep Weekend Series against Dubuque - Youngstown Phantoms
• Quick Strikes Overpower Fighting Saints - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• McLellan & Godbout Notch Goals, But Gamblers Prevail - Madison Capitols
• Thunder Roll to Third Straight - Bloomington Thunder
• Caps Look for Cheese Cup Series Win & Bounce Back Performance - Madison Capitols
• Thunder Take Road to Team USA - Bloomington Thunder
• Stars to Meet Force for First Time this Season - Lincoln Stars
• Musketeers Road Stretch Continues January 22nd - Sioux City Musketeers

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