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Win Streak up to Five Games

December 12, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington Thunder vs. Tri-City Storm
Bloomington Thunder vs. Tri-City Storm
(Bloomington Thunder)

KEARNEY, Nebraska - Overtime for two nights in a row wasn't a problem for the Bloomington Thunder who picked up a 2-1 win over the Tri-City Storm Saturday evening. Brogan Rafferty (Quinnipiac University) netted his first goal of the season to give the Thunder (13-8-2-1) the win over the Storm (9-9-3-3). The Thunder picked up their fourth straight win and Logan Halladay gets his second straight win for the Thunder, making 27 saves in the game.

For the second straight night, the Thunder were down by a goal and managed a third period comeback. Again it was Blake Gober scoring the third period game-tying goal. The assistant captain picked up his eighth of the season on a puck jammed in on the near side post. The power play goal came under four minutes into the final period.

Each team had chances in the first period on 19 combined shots but could not beat the opposing goaltenders. Halladay matched up with Dayton Rasmussen (University of Denver) as each made stellar saves in the game. Rasmussen, in just his third decision of the season, suffered the shootout loss making 26 saves for the Storm.

Paul Washe broke the scoreless game in the second by scoring his fourth of the season. After the puck bounced around in front of the net, Washe was in the right place at the right time to put home the goal with under four minutes to play in the second. In the final minutes of the period, the Storm almost made it 2-0. An initial shot was saved by Logan Halladay before the Storm pushed both Halladay and the puck into the back of the net. Referee Andrew Bruggerman waived the goal off and kept the game at a one-goal deficit into the final period.

Both teams turned in 28 shots on net, while the Thunder were 1-for-4 on the power play and shut out the Storm on three man advantages in the game.

The West Dundee, IL native Rafferty picked up his first career goal in the United States Hockey League to end the game in overtime. The defenseman's shot came as he split the defenseman and ramped the puck on the Storm defender. It rolled over the head of Rasmussen and into the back of the net just under four minutes into the extra period. It is the second overtime-winning goal by a Thunder defenseman this season and kept the team in the win column.

Butrus Ghafari (Western Michigan University) and Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) each picked up assists on the play while Tarek Baker and Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) earned assists on the goal by Gober. Davies grabbed three points over the weekend and Baker grabs two.

The win ties a team high five-game win streak, which dates back to the 2014-15 season.

Bloomington returns home for a game on Saturday night against the Chicago Steel at 7 p.m. It is the final game of the calendar year at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum and will be the third meeting with the Steel this season. Bloomington is 1-1-0-0 against Chicago.

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, December 19th - 7 p.m. - The Thunder host the Chicago Steel at 7 p.m before they take their Christmas break. From 6-7 p.m. it is buy one, get one free hot dogs at the Coliseum concession stands. Also, all kids 12 and under get a free hot dog voucher when they walk in the door that is good for the entire game. For tickets and information, visit Bloomingtonthunder.com or call (309) 434-2980.

Holiday Hat Trick: Call the Thunder for their holiday hat trick package. For just $55 you get four tickets to an upcoming game, a Thunder team hat, and a Thunder mini stick! That's a value of over $90. Visit the Thunder office or call (309) 434-2980 for this amazing limited time offer.




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Bloomington Thunder vs. Tri-City Storm
Bloomington Thunder vs. Tri-City Storm
   



United States Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2015


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