Thunder fall in shootout to Lumberjacks

By WJBC Staff

MUSKEGON, Mich. – The Bloomington Thunder’s third game in three days finished in a 4-3 shootout loss with the Muskegon Lumberjacks as the Thunder pick up a point in the standings.

Bloomington led first in the game but had to tie the game twice to send it to extra time. Logan Halladay (University of Minnesota) rebounded and was the star of the game for the Thunder, making 44 saves including a barrage of shots with :30 to go in overtime.

In the first period the Thunder would pick up the lone tally on their second power play of the game. The newest defenseman for the Thunder Nikolas Koberstein (Montreal Canadiens, University of Alaska-Fairbanks) earned his second goal of the season and first with the Thunder to make it 1-0 at the break. Butrus Ghafari (Western Michigan University) grabbed the assist on the goal giving him six points on the year.

In the second, the Lumberjacks would score the game tying and leading goal to make it 2-1 before Ryan Siroky (Miami University) tied it up for the Thunder. The unassisted tally snuck past the Muskegon netminder Michael Latorella (Ohio State University) on the rebound at 16:13. Muskegon would get a goal to take the lead at the end of the frame on a Joseph Cecconi (University of Michigan) goal at 18:23 of the period.

In the third period the Thunder, who were discipline all game and only took one penalty in the Monday afternoon game were able to tally the game-tying goal. Blake Gober took the puck behind the net and centered it to Jake Slaker for the goal at 9:30 on the power play.

The Thunder held off a strong charge by the Jacks and forced overtime where both teams had four shots to end the game but could not net the final goal. In the shootout, The Thunder would pot one in the third round but were matched to send it to the fourth round where Juraj Mily scored to finish the game.

Despite the loss, the Thunder still put up 39 shots on net along with 44 saves from Halladay and a 2-4 on the power play. Muskegon improves to 21-11-3, while Bloomington takes the shootout loss at 12-16-6.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…