Thunder Sink Buccaneers in Physical Affair

Published on February 6, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Des Moines, IA - A physical hockey game ended in the favorof the Bloomington Thunder 5-2 over the Des Moines Buccaneers from theBuccaneer Arena Friday night. Over 106 penalty minutes were handed out in thegame as the Thunder continue to roll, going 5-0-2 in their last seven games.They move up a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the MadisonCapitols with 41 points at 17-16-7. Four players picked up multi-point gamesand nine finished the night with a point.

The Buccaneersopened the scoring in the first period when the USHL's leading defensive scorerCorey Schueneman (Western MichiganUniversity) ripped one upstairs to take the lead. Bloomington would answerback at 10:19 when Pat Curry's headsup play gave him a one-on-one chance with the goaltender. Curry potted hisfifth of the season to tie the game at one. Bucs leading scorer Tanner Karty would be tossed from thegame for instigating a fight with JakeSlaker at 12:35 as the Thunder would go on to out shoot Des Moines 11-9 toend the first.

The Thunderwould be on the wrong end of some penalties in the second but were strong onthe penalty kill in the second. They were 5-5 on the kill in the game and alsopicked up two goals in the second period. ButrusGhafari (Western Michigan University) scored his second of the season andthen headed to the dressing room for fight with Nicky Wolff (University of Minnesota-Duluth). With just over two toplay the Bucs would tie the game but Slaker grabbed a goal at 18:29 to make it3-2. Logan Lambdin and Blake Gober grabbed assists on theeventual game-winning goal.

The third periodmoved quickly with chances in the first half, but slowed to a crawl due tophysical play and frustration from both teams. Bloomington would see a stellarfinish from goaltender Hayden Lavigne(University of Michigan) who was 25 of 27 in the game and earned his fourthstraight win. Shane Bednard (BowlingGreen State University) put the game out of reach for the Bucs with his 10thgoal at 16:33. Then captain RyanSiroky (Miami University) potted the empty netter for the Thunder to closeout the game.

Bloomingtonmoves on to take on the Lincoln Stars Saturday night, completing their six gameroad trip. The Thunder fell to the Stars in their first meeting but the team is4-0-1 in five games on the road.

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