Thunder offense breaks out in triumph over Madison

Posted on November 5, 2016
Kiefiuk's multi-goal game, Halladay's 31 saves key Bloomington 5-1 win. (WJBC file photo)
Kiefiuk’s multi-goal game, Halladay’s 31 saves key Bloomington 5-1 win. (WJBC file photo)

By Dan Corcoran

MADISON, Wis. — The Bloomington Thunder’s youngest player made his presence felt on Friday night.

Calen Kiefiuk (University of Michigan) netted his first two career goals and Logan Halladay turned aside 31 shots to help the Thunder (4-6-2-0, 10 pts) to a 5-1 victory over the Capitols at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

After a 4-1 loss to Madison (4-6-0-0, 8 pts) on Sunday, the Thunder heavily outplayed the Capitols from the opening faceoff on Friday night. Despite not scoring in the first period, the Thunder outshot Madison by 13 in the opening period of play, holding the Capitols to just five shots on goal.

Following more than 30 minutes of scoreless play, Kiefiuk started the scoring in the second period with his first career USHL goal at the 12:22 mark.  Kiefiuk worked the puck free from three Capitols players and then rifled a wrister past goaltender Dryden McKay from the slot to make it 1-0.

Jake Durflinger (University of Denver) then added to the Thunder lead with his third goal of the season five minutes and 24 seconds later. A scrum in front of the net left McKay sprawled on his backside, and Durflinger grabbed the loose puck and roofed it to double the lead.

Two quick goals in the third period by the Thunder then put the game out of reach. Kiefiuk buzzed a wrister past McKay on the power play to make it 3-0 at the 3:35 mark of the final period. Just 1:08 later, Vlad Dzhioshvili found himself in an identical position in the right circle and fired a wrister of his own past McKay to increase the lead.

Madison spoiled Halladay’s shutout with less than two minutes left in the third as Mick Messner managed to punch a rebound home. But Bloomington sealed the deal with Sean Harrison’s empty netter with 31 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Thunder travel to Cedar Rapids on Saturday as they go for the weekend sweep. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. against the RoughRiders.

To stay up-to-date on all Thunder news throughout the season, follow the Thunder on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

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