Vermeersch Hat Trick Spurs Rivs Comeback Win over Thunder
January 11, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
PEORIA - The Bloomington Thunder suffered their first overtime loss of the season as the Peoria Rivermen used a Garrett Vermeersch hat trick to come from behind for a 3-2 win on Saturday night at Carver Arena.
After a scoreless first period, the Thunder lit the lamp first just four seconds into a power play with 4:22 left in the second period as Peter Cintala rifled a drive from the right point from a Travis Granbois feed off a Kyle Watson face-off win.
The Rivermen evened the contest at 1-1 with 18:33 left in the third period when Garrett Vermeersch weaved through traffic and slid the puck from the right circle just under the stick of Thunder goalie B.J. O'Brien. The Thunder broke the tie on a Peoria power play when Dennis Sicard picked off a pass in the Bloomington zone and skated down ice for a breakaway unassisted shorthanded tally with 6:24 remaining, but Vermeersch picked up an errant clearance at the left circle with 1:01 left and scored a power play goal to send the contest to overtime. Vermeersch ended the game by completing his hat trick with a spin in the slot just 1:41 in overtime.
O'Brien took the loss with 34 saves while Eric Levine earned the win with 27 stops. The Rivermen were 1-of-7 on the power play while the Thunder were 1-of-3.
The Thunder are off until Friday when they host the Rivermen in a 7:05 p.m. face-off on Adopt-A-Dog Night in conjunction with Wishbone Canine Rescue. Details as well as the latest team information and links to the WJBC.com and America One broadcasts are at www.bloomingtonthunder.com as well as Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder). Group and multi-game discount packages are available by calling the Thunder office at 309-434-2980, and single-game and gameday tickets are available through the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office and by calling 309-434-2679.
SPHL Stories from January 11, 2014
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- Vermeersch Caps Hat Trick with Overtime Winner - Peoria Rivermen
- Vermeersch Hat Trick Spurs Rivs Comeback Win over Thunder - Bloomington Thunder
- Surge Score Twice in 3rd to Beat IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Surge Take Down Number One IceGators in Thrilling Comeback Win - Mississippi Surge
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