By Bloomington Thunder Sports Information
PLYMOUTH, Michigan – Two of the three stars of the night played a big part in the Bloomington Thunder’s 1-0 over the United States National Team Development Program Thursday. Wyatt Kalynuk (Western Michigan University) was the number one star of the game, scoring the game-winning goal four minutes into overtime. The number three star was nearly 200 feet away from the goal as Hayden Lavigne (University of Michigan) earned his third shutout this season.
Kalynuk had a few chances in the game but came on in overtime when it was needed for the Thunder. The defenseman moved down the left side and put one toward the front of the net where Jake Slaker (St. Lawrence University) provided the necessary screen. The second of the season for Kalynuk was the first game-winning goal of his career. Both Brogan Rafferty (Quinnipiac University) and Blake Gober (Penn State University) added assists on the goal.
Goaltenders Lavigne and Adam Scheel (University of Notre Dame) put on a clinic through the first twenty minutes of play. The Thunder netminder came up with a few huge pad saves and skated to the second intermission with 16 saves in the game. The Brampton, ON native finished the goaltender’s duel with 24 saves and his 18th win of the season. He is now tied with Adam Huska (New York Rangers) for third in the United States Hockey League for wins by a goaltender.
Scheel held the Thunder off the board despite great chances in front of the net. While shorthanded, Tarek Baker (Univeristy of Wisconsin) took the puck down the left wing and put a puck right to the tape of Logan Lambdin (Michigan State University) on a 2-on-1. On the right side of the net, Scheel slid across to deny the Thunder’s leading goal scorer his 21st of the season. Scheel made 27 saves for the 17s despite being handed his third loss in overtime this season.
Well known for their discipline, each team recorded just four penalties in the game resulting in a few special team chances for each side. Power play’s became a non-factor thanks to great penalty killing by each team going 4-for-4 when down a man.
The Thunder took full control in the second period with a game high 14 shots on net and continued their charge in the game. They finished the night outshooting Team USA 28 to 24.
The Thunder move into fourth place after the win. They leapfrog the Youngstown Phantoms in the Eastern Conference playoff race and have a one point advantage heading into the remainder of the weekend.
Youngstown is the next trip for the Thunder on their three game road weekend. The Thunder face the Phantoms in game one of a back to back to wrap up play from the Covelli Center this season. Puck drop is 6:05 p.m. (7:05 p.m. EST) with the broadcast beginning at 6:45 with the pregame show on WJBC.com. The Thunder and Phantoms are neck and neck for the Clark Cup Playoffs at fourth and fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, March 4th – 7 p.m. – Chicago Blackhawks night is back at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum to bring a slice of the reigning Stanley Cup Championship organization to Central Illinois. 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Jamal Mayers will be at the game signing autographs and dropping the ceremonial puck after soloist Jim Cornelison performs the Star Spangled Banner. The Blackhawks Bud Light Ice Crew will also be at the game to sign autographs and meet fans in the stands. Get to the game early for $1 drafts and sodas all the way until puck drop. Tickets start at $10 with $5 youth tickets when you call ahead. In order to receive these discounts you MUST call ahead. To reach the Thunder office, call (309) 434-2980.
