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Thunder Wrap up Weekend with Dubuque

February 21, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The three game weekend for the Bloomington Thunder comes to a close on Sunday afternoon when they return home to take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints. A 3 p.m. matinee game will pit the Thunder against another arch nemesis of the Eastern Conference, the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Super Hero Sunday. After two losses to Chicago and Green Bay the Thunder look to get back in the win column, while Dubuque has points in their last seven games, going 6-0-1-0.

Bloomington (24-16-3-1) is battling for playoff contention with the Youngstown Phantoms who hang onto fourth place by a thread with 53 points. The Fighting Saints (29-13-1-0) took a win in the shootout over the Waterloo Black Hawks Saturday night, tying themselves for the top spot in both the Eastern Conference and the United States Hockey League with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Listen live to all Thunder games this season by going to portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/. Tonight's broadcast begins at 2:45 p.m. for pregame coverage. Games will also be broadcast with live video on FastHockey.com. Don't forget to check out the Thunder's Twitter account, @BLMThunder, for updates during the game with our hashtag #BLMvsDUB.

The Thunder host one of the top teams in the USHL to wrap up Hockey Weekend Across America. It is also Super Hero Sunday from the Coliseum with Batman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, and more. Sunday specials include $3 kid's meals, with a hot dog, chips, and drink. There will also be a free post-game skate with the team in honor of Try Hockey For Free Day. Call ahead for $10 tickets or $5 youth tickets as the Thunder also honor their Local Hockey Heroes before the game. The Thunder office can be reached at (309) 434-2980.

Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) netted his 12th goal of the season on Saturday night, but it was the lone tally for the Thunder in a 4-1 loss to Green Bay. The blue liner leads all defenseman in goal scoring and is fourth in the league in scoring by a defenseman with 30 points (12g, 18a). Hailing from Montreal, QC, the second-year point man for the Thunder is third on the team in scoring.

Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) and Jake Durflinger each suited up in their 100th career USHL game on Saturday night. Slaker began his career with two games on the Fargo Force in 2013-14 and has played every other game for the Thunder. The other Californian split two seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers and the Bloomington Thunder. Durflinger made his USHL debut with Sioux City in 2013-14, playing in just one game.

Dubuque is among the elite programs in the USHL this season and in the team's history. The Fighting Saints are one of the hottest teams coming into their Sunday match up. They picked up back to back wins over the Waterloo Black Hawks in overtime and the shootout to continue their current four game win streak. Veteran goaltender Hunter Miska (University of Minnesota-Duluth) has taken the brunt of the workload in between the pipes and grabbed a league leading 23 wins because of it. Helping the goaltender out is a spread offense that features eight scorers with 20 or more points. Atop that list is Nathan Sucese (Penn State University) who leads the way with 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points, which also ranks in the top five of the USHL's scoring race. The assistant captain of the Saints is in his second full season and committed to play college hockey at Penn State University.

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, March 4th - 7 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks night is back at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum to bring a slice of the reigning Stanley Cup Championship organization to Central Illinois. 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Jamal Mayers will be at the game signing autographs and dropping the ceremonial puck after soloist Jim Cornelison performs the Star Spangled Banner. The Blackhawks Bud Light Ice Crew will also be at the game to sign autographs and meet fans in the stands. Get to the game early for $1 drafts and sodas all the way until puck drop. Tickets start at $10 with $5 youth tickets when you call ahead. In order to receive these discounts you MUST call ahead. To reach the Thunder office, call (309) 434-2980.



United States Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2016


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