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| SportsFriday, October 26, 2007 11:00 PM CDT |
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Optimism reigns ahead of PrairieThunder’s home opener
BLOOMINGTON — It’s one down and 75 more International Hockey League regular-season games to go for the Bloomington PrairieThunder. That doesn’t diminish the significance of the Thunder’s 5-1 season-opening win at Flint last weekend as the second-year franchise awaits today’s 7:05 p.m. home opener against Fort Wayne at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. “We’re feeling good,” said veteran forward Sam Ftorek, one of 14 new players on the Thunder’s active roster. “You come into a new team and everyone has to get to know each other, but with a victory like that it’s nice. “Things are falling into place and this weekend is the weekend where we really start to move.” The Thunder got rolling after falling behind in the opening minute against Flint. Rookie Kyle McCullough scored early in the second to overcome a 1-0 deficit, and Ftorek and Cory Laylin added goals later in the period. Laylin and Don Parsons scored in the final period to back goaltender Derek Dolson, who stopped the final 33 shots he faced. Parsons and Casey Handrahan, one of five returning Thunder players, added two assists each. “We’re still learning the systems and how to come together here, but it’s always nice to start off with a win,” said Thunder coach Derek Booth. “Now we don’t let up. Our foot is on the gas pedal the whole season. “I expect these guys to come in and be prepared every night. It’s the second year of the program we’re trying to build here in Bloomington and we have to keep battling and working hard.” Fort Wayne is coming off a season-opening 4-0 win over Port Huron. Kevin Reiter posted his eighth career shutout in goal and veteran defenseman Guy Dupuis handed out three assists. “Every game is important this year with six teams,” Booth said. “It’s going to be a year where the parity is going to be great. On any given night it’s who’s working harder and battling in the corners harder. “It’s the home opener and I know the fans are gong to be there to support us, but you don’t change anything. We have to come out feisty, we have to come out skating and we have to win all the battles out there. You just come out and play the game you’re supposed to play.” Fort Wayne kicks off a busy weekend for the Thunder. The teams will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Fort Wayne before the Thunder travels to Port Huron Sunday for a 2 p.m. matinee. “We have a big weekend here and we need to take those points,” said Thunder forward Donnie Margettie. “You have to have the same intensity all three games. I know it’s tough, but it’s all the mental part of the game. “That’s where the leadership of your veteran players comes in. We’re going to take it one game at a time, one shift at a time, and hopefully we’ll bring home six points this weekend.” Dropping the puckWhat: Bloomington PrairieThunder vs. Fort Wayne Komets When: 7:05 p.m., today Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington Records: Komets 1-0; Thunder 1-0 Braodcast: wjbc2.com Promotions: PrairieThunder magnetic schedule giveaway, Halloween celebration, Pepsi Date Night, post-game puck shoot contest Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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ah right wrote on Oct 26, 2007 12:47 PM:
Ali wrote on Oct 26, 2007 7:11 AM:
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