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Thunder Clinch First Playoff Berth

March 26, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington Thunder Faces off with the Dubuque Fighting Saints
Bloomington Thunder Faces off with the Dubuque Fighting Saints
(Bloomington Thunder)

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Behind a three-goal second period, theBloomington Thunder solidified their first post-season berth on Friday night inDubuque. With a 5-3 win over the Fighting Saints, the Thunder (34-18-3-1) haveclinched the final available playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They also tied the Fighting Saints(35-17-1-1) for second in the East with 72 points, leaping over the Green BayGamblers who currently hold the fourth place spot in the standings.

A big secondperiod turnaround helped the Thunder to a 4-1 lead into the break. They neverlooked back from the lead, taking their first win over Dubuque this season. Sean Harrison (Union College) unloadeda goal for the second straight game to begin the period. A pass across the rinkfrom Jake Durflinger came to theDutchman recruit who ripped the puck over the pad of Fighting Saint'sgoaltender Jaxon Castor (Arizona StateUniversity). Castor's luck didn't fair in his second game against theThunder, making 22 saves in the defeat.

The Thunder's USHL/NHLTop Prospect representative made it a 3-1 game with his seventh of the season.His first shot was stopped but the fourth line of Harrison, Vlad Dzhioshvili (Cornell University), and EthanSomoza (Bemidji State University) crashed the crease and batted the puck intothe net. The Cornell commit continued to produce for the Thunder in the thirdwith his second point of the night and 21st of his rookie season.Somoza ended the night with two helpers as their line combined for six pointsin the game.

The captain playedhero in the Thunder's shootout win over the Lincoln Stars one week ago andcontinued to score game winners. This one counted on the scoreboard as his 20thof the season and 11th power play goal of the year when the Thunderbegan a 5-on-3 with a minute left in the second period. 10 seconds into the manadvantage, Jeremy Davies (NortheasternUniversity) took his second assist of the night on a cross-ice pass to Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University).

In the first period Logan Halladay (Merrimack College)recorded 11 saves as the Thunder rallied from two penalty kills. The Cary, NCnative ended the night with 28 saves and his ninth win this season. Themomentum carried them in the second half of the period as the team took controlof the game including multiple chances off turnovers from center ice.

Patrick Curry showed how hard work pays off late in a period. Curry skatedthrough center ice and down to the right wing corner and curled back to find atrailing Steven Merl (University ofMichigan). A pass found it's way to the future Wolverine for a quick wristshot and his second goal of the season. The goal came with 38 seconds left inthe first period and put Bloomington on top 1-0 after the first period.

The Fighting Saints by nomeans were out of the game throughout the night tying it in the second andholding a two goal deficit to begin the third. Goals were scored by Shane Kavanagh (Providence College), Brett Boeing, and Nathan Sucese (Penn State University), but the Saints could notrally back from the second period surge.

Both teams finished 1-for-4on the power play. Over 100 penalty minutes were dished out in the game with aslew of 10-minute misconducts coming in the third period.




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Bloomington Thunder Faces off with the Dubuque Fighting Saints
Bloomington Thunder Faces off with the Dubuque Fighting Saints
   

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