By WJBC Staff
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Thunder rang in the New Year by facing the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the third time of the season. The Thunder were down 3-2 in the final minutes of the game but fought back to earn a point with a late goal from Shane Bednard to tie it. Bloomington would eventually fall in the shootout 4-3 despite a 37 save performance from goaltender Logan Halladay.
“Tonight’s game, discipline was the issue again for us giving up 17 power play and if it wasn’t for Logan (Halladay) in net we didn’t stand too much of a chance,” said Thunder Head Coach Dennis Williams following the shootout loss.
To start off the first period, Dubuque grabbed a quick goal just :16 into the game. Dylan Gambrell (University of Denver) slapped the puck to the back of the cage earning his fifth point in three games. He would finish the night with two goals in the game. Bloomington tied up the score half way through the period. Assistant Captain and point leader for the Thunder, Vince Pedrie (Quinnipiac University) potted the puck into the Saint’s net on the Thunder’s power play with an assist from forwards Alec Mehr and Bednard.
Going into the second Bloomington was searching for a goal to break the tied up score of 1-1. Forward Blake Gober picked up the second goal for the Thunder following on a rebound by Assistant Captain Jack Jenkins at 8:41. The Thunder’s penalty kill proved to be successful on the night killing off seven of eight power plays and going 2-5 on the man advantage.
The Thunder led into the last period up by one and held off Dubuque until 9:31 when Gambrell picked another goal assisted by Jacob Benson (St. Cloud State University) for the second time in the night. Late in the period Boeing grabbed another point shorthanded when his shot tipped by Halladay.
“We’ve got to get back to moving our feet again, staying out of the box as well, but I liked how resilient we were,” said Williams. “We kept working down 3-2 in the third against one of the top teams in the league and people may have doubted us at that point. We worked hard and got another power play and what a play by Bedzy down low to tie it up.”
With a 1:30 left in the period, Bednard snuck the puck past the Saints on their power play with an assist going to Matt Mendelson (Penn State University) and Max Gottlieb (Brown University) to tie up the game and call for overtime and eventually the shootout.
The Thunder earned a point but were bested in the shootout by Dubuque after three straight tallies by the Fighting Saints.
“With the shootout, that will happen at times. At that point it is tough, but you can’t take anything away from Logan. He was the difference for us tonight and we need to get a little better in front of him,” said Williams about his netminder. “We have a tough Lincoln game coming up and we are going to get back on the horse and hopefully get back in the win column.”
Fighting Saints goalie Jacob Nehama took home his 14th win for Dubuque, tallying up 24 saves on 27 shots. However, Halladay hoisted a stellar night for Bloomington. He made 37 saves on 40 shots including three breakaway saves.
Bloomington is now tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-12-4 before a two-game road stand this weekend.
The Thunder return to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum for OSF Giveaway Night on Jan. 9.
Game rescheduled
Due to a conflicting event at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, the Bloomington Thunder have moved their Feb. 20 contest against the Youngstown Phantoms to Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
All tickets printed for the 20th will be accepted on the 19th at the box office or may be exchanged at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office for another ticket to a remaining game during the 2014-15 regular season.
The night will feature the Thunder’s Mid-week concession special. All Budweiser and Pepsi products are just $2 along with other concessions such as hot-dogs, popcorn, and nachos.
In place of the game on the 20th, the U.S. Cellular Coliseum will host two of country’s biggest stars, Chris Young and Lee Brice with special guest Brothers Osborne.
