By WJBC Staff
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Bloomington Thunder entered the third period down by one, but the Green Bay Gamblers capitalized on two chances and an empty netter in the third to take a 4-1 win at the Resch Center Saturday night. Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) scored for the Thunder in the third to bring themselves within one as the defenseman continues to lead the blue liners with 12 this season.
Bloomington (24-15-3-1) is in fifth in the United States Hokey League’s Eastern Conference with 52 points. Green Bay (26-12-4-2) has 58 points after the win and holds them in third place in the East.
Davies third period goal was off a long shot from the point that worked over the glove of goaltender Adam Huska (New York Rangers). Davies slap shot gave him 30 points this season and leads the all USHL defenseman with 12 goals scored. Logan Lambdin (Michigan State University) and Butrus Ghafari (Michigan State University) earned assists on the goal toward a 2-1 game.
Both teams traded blows at an even keeled first period, but the Gamblers skated to the dressing room with 16 shots on net versus the Thunder’s eight. Logan Halladay (Merrimack College) showed off his composed play in the first turning away save after save and limiting his rebound opportunities. Adam Huska (New York Rangers) did the same with his rebounds and kept the Thunder at bay. Huska finished the game with the win and 24 saves, while Halladay ended the night with 27 saves.
The Gamblers struck on a redirected shot to take the 1-0 lead in the second period. Joey Marooney (University of Minnesota) redirected a shot from the blue line and was able to change the speed of the shot enough to beat Halladay over the shoulder.
In the third, the Gamblers added another early period goal to take a 2-0 lead. Sam Saliba (Michigan State University) put a rebound home for his team leading 22 goal less than a minute into the period. Later in the period, Ryan Smith found himself in front off a face off with the puck on his stick. His tenth of the year followed Davies goal for the Thunder to make it 3-1.
Tensions flared during the game resulting in five power play chances for Green Bay and the Thunder stopped them all. Jason Dhooghe (Ohio State University) added an empty netter to the score with under 30 seconds left as the Thunder attempted to tie the game.
The Thunder head home to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum to face the Dubuque Fighting Saints in a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Dubuque and Bloomington will each finish busy weekends with three games in three days. The Thunder and Fighting Saints finished in overtime earlier this season from the Coliseum.
