By WJBC Staff
BLOOMINGTON – A physical game from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum ended in heartbreak for the Bloomington Thunder who fell victim to a late tally by the Muskegon Lumberjacks as the game ended in a 3-2 loss. The Thunder (16-10-2-1) see a four game home winning streak come to an end as the Lumberjacks (13-11-2-1) get their first win of the new year, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Friday night game from the Coliseum opened a home and home with the ‘Jacks who will host the Thunder Saturday night.
In the final minutes of the third period, the Thunder earned themselves and offensive opportunity but the Lumberjacks quickly countered the other way. In a scramble in front of the crease, Max Humitz (Lake Superior State University) was able to find a rebound and put it into the net with only 21 seconds to play in the game.
Logan Halladay suffered his first loss in five games making 26 saves for the Thunder. Entering the game the Cary, NC native was the reigning goaltender of the week and was a key to the Thunder’s effort in the game.
A back and forth first period was even until the final 50 second of the period when Muskegon broke the scoreless tie. Collin Adams (University of North Dakota) ended Halladay’s shutout streak at just under 167 minutes with a power play goal. After a puck came to Chris Klack, a shot was deflected in front of the net right to Adams who didn’t miss from in close. The goal was his 12th of the season and gave the ‘Jacks the 1-0 lead with under one minute left in the period.
Bloomington ended the frame with 11 shots on net, but were stymied by NHL Draft Pick Joey Daccord (Arizona State University/Ottawa Senators). That would hold until the halfway point of the period when the Thunder capitalized on a power play chance.
Tarek Baker (University of Wisconsin) netted his eighth of the season by moving across the crease and tucking the puck past the pad of Daccord. It tied the game momentarily but the Lumberjacks came back to take the lead. After the Thunder had chances in the offensive zone, the puck slipped to the high slot and Adams took off on a 2-on-1. The North Dakota commit elected to shoot, scoring his second of the night unassisted at 11:44.
In the third, Baker would make his night a multi-goal affair. Over six minutes into the period, Pat Curry pushed the puck to Logan Lambdin for a mini 2-on-1 and from the high slot he dished it to the Thunder’s leading scorer. Baker hammered it in from the bottom of the right circle to tie the game again.
Despite 15 third period shots the Thunder were unable to crack Daccord again and the goaltender picked up his 11th win of the season. Bloomington finished the night 1-for-3 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill. Halladay is now 4-6-2-0 this season with the loss. The Thunder ended the eight game goal streak and ten game point streak for the USHL’s leading scorer, Rem Pitlick (University of Minnesota).
The two teams will battle on Saturday night from the L.C. Walker Arena to finish the weekend. The 6 p.m. (CST) game is the third of six meetings between the Thunder and Lumberjacks.
