Thunder with Monumental Win, Even Series in Cedar Rapids

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

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders lived their ownnightmare on Saturday night as the Bloomington Thunder responded in a big way 7-2in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Bloomington was on fire rightfrom the drop of the puck, taking the lead and never letting it go in theirfirst playoff win in team history. The power play got the game started for theThunder, but it was their physical play and 5-on-5 pressure that finished offCedar Rapids throughout the 60-minute game. The Thunder evened the series withthe RoughRiders at one game apiece, splitting on Cedar Rapids' home ice.

Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) and AlecMehr each earned stars in the game with three point nights for the Thunderto front line the offense. In the second period, they cashed in twice during afour-goal outburst to take a 6-1 lead into the intermission. Mehr netted theeventual game-winning goal in that period, less than four minutes into theperiod. Slaker fed Mehr on the front of the net off a turnover in the zone andthe same state-line mates connected on a one-timer

Logan Lambdin (Michigan State University) also contributed on that line as the Thunderforward had the opening goal and an assist in the third period. Both pointscame on the power play as the Thunder were 3-for-4 on the man advantage and5-for-7 over their two games in Iowa. With his second of the playoffs, Lambdinjust tucked it inside the post to take an early 1-0 lead. Jake Durflinger, along with Slaker, earned a two goal night andstarted with a power play tip in the first period. Brogan Rafferty, who has three assists in the playoffs, shot thepuck from the blue line where the Walnut Creek, CA native redirected it in.

The California natives didn'tstop there. Durflinger's second of the game came at the midway point of thesecond, batting in a rebound. PatrickCurry (Boston University) wrapped the puck around the net and Durflingerwas there for the second shot off Curry's chance. After Slaker was slid hisfirst goal of the game from Mehr three minutes later, Ethan Somoza (Bemidji State University) got in on the action. TheSimi Valley, CA native was the lucky recipient of a shot that hit the glass andbounced to the front. Somoza was there for his first playoff goal, as itbounced into the net.

Ben Blacker (Western Michigan University) was yanked from the net after the secondperiod, having made 21 saves over the two periods for the RoughRiders. Hiscounterpart Hayden Lavigne (Universityof Michigan) responded with a huge performance in net. Turning aside 26shots in the game, the third year netminders earned his first career postseason win.

The physical game reachedit's peak in the third period as a pair of altercations sent Bloomington's Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin)and Steven Merl (University of Michigan)to the locker room. Both Luke Morgan(Lake Superior State University) and MattFilipe (Northeastern University) were dealt fighting majors as well andsent to the RoughRiders' dressing room to await the end of the game.

Netting the final goal forthe Thunder was Slaker who capped off the night for the Thunder on the manadvantage. Seeing his first post-season action in net was goaltender Zack LaRocque who made 12 saves on thenight in relief but couldn't keep the Thunder captain from beating him over theshoulder eight minutes into the final period. The team ended the game with 40shots on net and another huge special team's performance, killing off 4-of-5RoughRider power play chances.

Bloomington Thunder Celebrate a Goal

United States Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2016

• Thunder with Monumental Win, Even Series in Cedar Rapids - Bloomington Thunder
• All Square Through Two - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stars Even Series with 5-0 Win - Lincoln Stars

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bloomington Thunder Stories

• Mirageas Selected for All-American Prospects Game
• Chaffee Sets up with Minutemen
• Home Opener Revealed
• Thunder Prospects Make a Splash
• Thunder Strikes at NHL Draft