Thunder Win 3rd Straight
December 28, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Bloomington Thunder recorded their first three-game winning streak behind a Dennis Sicard hat trick and a strong night in goal from Max Strang in a 5-2 win over the Fayetteville FireAntz on Saturday night at Crown Coliseum.
The Thunder scored three times within three minutes late in the first period to open the scoring. Ron Cramer hit a blast from the right wing that squirted out of the mitt of FireAntz goalie Brad Fogal and trickled in with 6:55 remaining, then Sicard went top shelf from the high slot with 5:15 left. Sicard then took a pass on the doorstep from Kyle Watson just 1:10 later to convert the Thunder lead to 3-0 going into the first intermission.
The FireAntz quickly scored to cut the margin to 3-1 as Nick Craven took a feed at the right post and snapped the puck inside a narrow opening with 18:05 remaining. The FireAntz used a turnover to put themselves within a goal at 3-2 with 2:42 before the second intermission when Chris Greene stabbed the puck in at the top of the crease on a feed from the corner from Brett Liscomb.
The Thunder pushed the margin back to two goals when Kyle Watson took a feed from Cramer and scored with a running stab at the right post with 15:10 left in regulation for a 4-2 lead. The FireAntz pulled Fogal for an extra attacker with three minutes remaining, but Sicard completed his hat trick by knocking down a pass and skating down ice for an empty net tap-in with 2:13 left for the final score.
Strang captured his third straight win with 37 saves while Fogal took the loss with 19 stops. Neither team registered a power play goal with five chances given to the Thunder and six opportunities to the FireAntz.
The Thunder continue a busy stretch of games by celebrating New Year's Eve with a 7:05 p.m. face-off at U.S. Cellular Coliseum against the Peoria Rivermen. Festivities include $2 hot dogs, soda and beer, kids 12 and under eat free until the first Thunder goal, plus kids will enjoy a special "midnight" celebration and treat bags while they last. The Thunder will also wear special New Year's Eve jerseys that will be auctioned immediately after the game.
The Thunder then visit Peoria for a New Year's Day game at 5:15 p.m. Fans can listen to Thunder games inside U.S. Cellular Coliseum on 93.7 FM with broadcasts also on WJBC.com and subcription video through America One Sports. Links to the online broadcasts are at www.bloomingtonthunder.com. For group discounts and more information, call the Thunder office at 309-434-2980. Follow the Thunder on Twitter (BLMThunder) and like the Thunder on Facebook for the latest information.
SPHL Stories from December 28, 2013
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- Thunder Win 3rd Straight - Bloomington Thunder
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