Thunder Wrap up Regular Season in Overtime

April 9, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The Bloomington Thunder wrapped up the regula rseason from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum on a comeback overtime game. The final score ended 5-4 Chicago, but the Thunder overcame two separate two-goaldeficits to send it to the extra period. In front of nearly 3000 fans,Bloomington (36-18-4-1) finished their play before the 2016 Clark Cup Playoffsgrabbing a point in 14 of their last 15 games played. Chicago finished their59th game 26-26-4-3 and rest in seventh place of the Eastern Conference.

Bloomington now awaits theschedule for the post season, to be released Monday. The Thunder are the numberfour seed in the East and will meet the Anderson Cup Champion Cedar RapidsRoughRiders in the first round.

In his 200th game,Butrus Ghafari (Western MichiganUniversity) had himself a nice first period. The defenseman was able to tiethe game in the first on two separate plays one minute apart. The first goalfor the Thunder came as Ghafari handled a rebound from Ethan Somoza (Bemidji State University) behind the net. Feedinganother assistant captain in front of the net, and Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) redirected it into the net.Baker picked up his 20th goal of the season on the play to cut thelead in half.

The two assistants connectedagain, less than 40 seconds later to tie the game. On the power play, Bakerlooked to the slot for an open man and found Ghafari for a blast at the blueline. The future Bronco netted his second of the season on the play to tie itup.

Four straight goals came inthe first period over a four-minute span as Chicago scored the first two of thegame at the nine and 10:40 marks. On the power play Christiano Versich (Colorado College) redirected a shot from Matt Kiersted (University of North Dakota)on the power play and then Haralds Egle(Clarkson University) connected on a rebound from the post.

Late in the period, Chicagocame back to take the lead at the end of the period. Max Zimmer (University of Wisconsin) netted his 14th ofthe season on a one-timer shot from the slot. Jake Jaremko (Minnesota State University-Mankato) added his 45thpoint this season on the assist.

In the second period, theThunder and Steel traded blows in the second period. The physical battleresulted in chances for the Thunder and Steel on the power play. Bloomingtonwas 1-for-6 in the game on special teams while the Steel were 3-for-8 on thenight.

Bloomington found themselvesdown three times in the third and the Steel added their fourth goal on thenight with a 5-on-3 power play mark. MarcJohnstone (Sacred Heart University) scored the goal, his sixth of theseason, on a rebound as he was falling to the ice.

While the Thunder were on thekill, Mitchell Chaffee took it downthe ice shorthanded for a goal just over a minute later. His seventh of theseason made it 4-3 with less than six minutes to play. Ghafari added an assiston the goal, his third point of the night and finished the game with the numberone star.

The game was tied less thanfour minutes later. Mitchell Mattson(University of North Dakota) chose a great time to score his second goal ofthe season. Steven Merl (University ofMichigan) assisted on the goal from behind the net as Mattson came up withthe biggest goal of the night.

Chicago ended the game inovertime on a 4-on-3 power play goal from Zimmer, his second of the night. TheThunder finished the game on back-to-back overtime defeats from Friday andSaturday night.

Bloomington Thunder Celebrate

Bloomington Thunder Defend vs. the Chicago Steel

Bloomington Thunder Celebrate vs. the Chicago Steel

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2016

• Fighting Saints Win Regular Season Finale - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Steel Strike In Overtime For 5-4 Win Saturday - Chicago Steel
• Thank You for Your Support - Sioux City Musketeers
• Thunder Wrap up Regular Season in Overtime - Bloomington Thunder
• Collin Adams Nets Hat Trick in Season Finale - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Hawks Alumni Are National Champs - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stampede's Win Streak Snapped in Regular Season Finale in Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
• First Round Playoff Dates Announced - Green Bay Gamblers
• Gamblers Finish Regular Season with Win - Green Bay Gamblers
• Saints Win, No Impact - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Lancers Sweep Tri-City with Rivera's OT-Winner - Omaha Lancers
• Phantoms End Season on High Note, Top USA for Seventh Straight Win - Youngstown Phantoms
• Gamblers Beat Stars, 3-1 - Lincoln Stars
• Phantoms Sign Forward Max Ellis to USHL Tender - Youngstown Phantoms

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