By Bloomington Thunder Sports Information
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The trip to Youngstown opened on a sour note for the Bloomington Thunder as the Phantoms earned a 5-1 win to open a two game set. Bloomington grabbed their first goal of the game on a career note for defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk (Western Michigan University), who scored his first of his USHL career. The Thunder fall to 1-2-0 on the season while the Phantoms take their first win of the year at 1-1-0.
The Phantoms tilted the score in their favor with two goals in the first. A one-timer goal from the blue line gave them the lead and Luke McInnis (Boston College) his first goal of the year. The pass across the line came from Matt Alvaro (Providence College) at 5:54 of the period and McInnis ripped it to the back of the net. Later in the period, the Thunder would kill off two power plays for the Phantoms and get a chance of their own. As time expired on the power play, the Phantoms fed James Winkler (Northeastern University) on a breakaway pass. The shot was just inside the post to make it 2-0 at with over five minutes left to play in the opening period.
The Thunder had a valiant effort shooting in the game, combining for 23 shots on net over two periods. Youngstown grabbed two more goals in the second period. On a 3-on-1, Logan Halladay (University of Minnesota) would make the initial save, but Cameron Morrison (University of Notre Dame) found the rebound at 11:13.
Then a puck bounced off Halladay’s back on a wrap around to make it 4-0 and a goal for Chase Pearson (University of Maine, Detroit Red Wings). Halladay finished the night with an official eight saves and 35 minutes of work. Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) came in relief and stopped six shots in his appearance.
In the third period, the Thunder had two chances on the 5-on-3 and cashed in with a power play goal. Kalynuk picked up his first goal of the year at 4:14 of the third period, crashing down for a second rebound. Steven Merl and Patrick Curry were awarded assists on the play. The Thunder worked, but couldn’t muster any more goals on DeAugustine in the game, who made 34 saves in the win.
Youngtown grabbed one more in the game to finish the contest as Yushiroh Hirano grabbed his first goal in the USHL at 17:57. The Thunder put 35 shots on net and were 1-5 on the power play, while stopping all 4 power play chances from the Phantoms.
