Second-year Bloomington PrairieThunder coach Derek Booth was looking for difference makers when he assembled his crop of rookies for the International Hockey League season.

After 17 games, Booth couldn't be happier with the progress of forwards Brett Holmberg, Kyle McCullough, Brent Clarke, Jamison Orr and goaltender Loic Lacasse.

"One thing last year that we had talked about was getting better with our rookies," Booth said. "We had the in-between guys, but I didn't realize how important rookies were. They have to do something that's better than the middle guys, and these guys have been doing that.

"It's been nice to have these guys because they really bring enthusiasm to the change room and that excitement of playing the game of hockey."

Holmberg is the IHL's reigning Rookie of the Week after collecting three assists in two games to run his season total to five. He also has one goal.

"Brett Holmberg started out slow," Booth said. "I think he was a little bit out of shape when he got here. We got him into a training program, and it's starting to pay dividends right now. He's starting to feel confident in himself being in shape and with his play."

McCullough leads all Thunder rookies with five goals and seven points.

"Kyle McCullough just wanted a chance," Booth said. "He works his tail off. He goes to the net and does the little things, and it's paying off for him."

Lacasse, a sixth-round draft pick (181st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2004 NHL entry draft, has a 2-3 record with a 3.93 goals against average and a .888 save percentage. Lacasse is on loan to the Thunder from Hamilton of the American Hockey League.

"Every game, every practice, he's battling," Booth said of Lacasse. "He knows he wants to get to the next level of the game, and that's been pushing him. He's a prospect, and that's something we want to associate ourselves with as an organization."

Orr, who played for the Thunder last season, and Clarke have each scored two points.

"Jamison Orr is a kid that's a big, physical player," Booth said. "He brings that presence on the ice we're looking for. Brent Clarke is all speed. He's a kid with a great attitude that will do anything to win."

Recent acquisition Jarrett Robertson, who at 26 is the oldest Thunder rookie, scored two goals in his second game with the team last Saturday.

"For a guy that's won a (Southern Professional Hockey League) championship down in Fayetteville and has almost a full year under his belt, that's a good rookie to pick up," Booth said.

Defense fuels win streak

The Thunder has won a franchise-record three straight road games to climb within one game (8-9-0) of the .500 mark. Booth attributes the surge to improved defensive play.

"I think we're paying more attention to the defensive side of the game," Booth said. "(No. 1 goaltender) Derek Dolson has stepped up his game a notch from where he started off at the beginning of the season.

"We're committed as a team to playing smarter, more basic hockey. It's something we have to do to keep us in the pack of this league."

Bloomington will try to make it four in a row Friday in a 6:30 p.m. road game against Flint.

"Something I like to instill in the locker room when you're in streaks like this is pretend we're 0-3 going into the next game and we have to win," veteran Thunder forward Don Parsons said. "Desperation, panic, play hard and keep it rolling that way.

"When you win three, four, five in a row, you kind of take it for granted. That's when someone is going to sneak up on you and beat you 6-1."

Guns N' Hoses exhibition

Members of the Bloomington police and fire departments will meet in a Guns N' Hoses exhibition hockey game at 3:15 p.m. Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum before the Thunder's 7:05 p.m. game against Muskegon.

Proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. Against Muskegon, Thunder players will wear specially designed jerseys featuring the Special Olympics and Torch Run logos. The jerseys will be auctioned after the game.

Fans can attend the exhibition by purchasing a ticket for the Thunder game. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to Special Olympics Illinois. Fans should enter through the VIP entrance near the Pepsi Ice Center.

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Thunder leaders

Points

1. Don Parsons…19…

2. Cory Laylin 14

3. Jon Booras…12

Goals

1. Don Parsons…7

1. Sam Ftorek…7

3. Jon Booras…6

Assists

1. Don Parsons…12

2. Cory Laylin…9

3. Scott Crawford…8

Penalty minutes

1. Donnie Margettie…78

2. Sam Miller…71

3. Jamison Orr…61

Goals against average

1. Derek Dolson…2.88

2. Loic Lacasse…3.93

Save percentage

1. Derek Dolson….910

2. Loic Lacasse….888

IHL leaders

Points

1. Fox (FLT)…21

1. Carroll (PH)…21…

1. Lardner (PH)…21

Goals

1. Fox (FLT)…12

1. Carroll (PH)…12

3. Aquino (FW)…11

3. Lardner (PH)…11

Assists

1. Parsons (BLM)…12

1. Watt (MUS)…12

3. Four tied with 11

Penalty minutes

1. Bertram (FTW)…89

2. Margettie (BLM)…78

3. Mallette (FLT)…72

Goals against average

1. Symington (KAL)…2.26

2. Alban (FLT)…2.33

2. Boucher (FTW)…2.33

Save percentage

1. Symington (KAL)….937

2. Alban (FLT)….928

3. Reiter (FTW)….916

Wins

1. Dolson (BLM)…6

1. Reiter (FTW)…6

1. Symington (KAL)…6

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Thunder vs. Generals

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Perani Arena, Flint, Mich.

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Bloomington has lost three straight to the Generals, including a 6-0 setback at Flint on Nov. 17 in the teams' last meeting.

Thunder vs. Fury

When: 7:05 p.m. Saturday

Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Muskegon's Mike Watt and the Thunder's Don Parsons entered the weekend as the IHL's co-leaders in assists with 12.