Lancers hold off Thunder in third to salvage series split

Posted on October 30, 2016

*Kalynuk, Durflinger both score in 3-2 loss to Omaha. (WJBC File Photo)*

By WJBC Staff

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Thunder struck in the early stages of the third period and made a late push after that, but the visiting Omaha Lancers managed to hang on for a 3-2 win on Saturday night at the Coliseum.

Trailing 3-1 heading to the third period, Bloomington (3-5-2-0, 8 pts) got right back within one when Wyatt Kalynuk ripped a slap shot past Lancers goaltender Jacob Acton just 2:21 into the final frame.

But after killing off back-to-back penalties, which included a five-minute major, the Thunder couldn’t strike for the equalizer in the final five minutes as Omaha (6-6-0-0, 12 pts) negotiated the series split.

The Lancers opened the scoring on the first of two goals by Connor Marshall at the 10:09 mark of the first period.

The score stayed that way until Thunder captain Jake Durflinger knotted the score at one. Durflinger tracked down a loose puck in the slot, spun and then fired a top shelf wrist shot past Acton for his second goal of the season three minutes, 39 seconds into the second.

It took seven minutes, but Omaha responded with a pair of goals in a 2:04 span to take the lead back for good. Marshall helped the Lancers take the lead with an even-strength goal at 10:19, and Erlends Klavins netted the eventual game-winner at 12:23 on the power play.

Making his first start of the weekend, Thunder goaltender Logan Halladay posted 24 saves on 27 shots, while Acton recorded 25 saves on 27 shots for Omaha.

Bloomington native Brady Smith suited up for the Thunder in his first career game. Smith, who is an affiliate player for the Thunder, had a plus/minus rating of plus-one in the game.

The Thunder finish off the three-game weekend with a trip to Madison, Wisconsin, to face the Capitols on Sunday at 4 p.m. The matinee affair will be Bloomington’s first Sunday tilt of the season and first regular season matchup with Madison.

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