Thunder sweep under-sized Bulldogs

Just how dominating were the Borderland Thunder in their weekend series against the visiting KC Bulldogs.
They took 171 shots—and sounded the horn on 18 of them.
“What was good is that it didn’t turn into a one-man show where one guy was trying to dangle and take the show,” said Thunder general manager Brent Tookenay, who has been acting as head coach while Dave Allison serves a six-game suspension.
But Friday’s 12-0 shutout and Saturday’s 6-1 win were bitter-sweet for the Thunder because they played against a Bulldogs’ squad that only had nine players dressed.
“It’s a joke,” said Thunder forward Andrew Dault.
“How can you compete in the SIJHL with eight players? But I give those players on the Bulldogs a lot of credit for sticking with it the whole year,” Dault added.
Thunder player David Gooch praised Bulldogs’ goalie Brian Hince after Saturday’s 104-shot night.
“He stood on his head and he kept the game close there for a while,” noted Gooch. “That was one of the most impressive performances that I’ve seen by a goalie.”
Josh McAndrew and Dault led the weekend assault with three goals each while Dennis Morrison, Aaron Boyer, and Jeremy Beller all had a pair. Kurt Hogard, Morgan Cekalla, Steven Sus, Martin Kloucek, Scott Bridgeman, and Clayton Windigo added singles.
Assists were credited to Hogard (five), Derek Fisher (four), Morrison (four), J. Beller (four), Tyler Barker (two), Greg Beller (two), Sus (two), Boyer (two), McAndrew (two), Tanner Kaemingh, Brock Harling, David Gooch, Dault, Bridgeman, and Windigo.
Jared Baldwin got the shutout Friday night after stopping 16 shots. Kevin Kauk got Saturday’s win in facing just nine shots.
The wins improved the second-place Thunder’s record to 30-14-3.
The Thunder will wrap up their regular-season schedule here tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. against the third-place Dryden Ice Dogs, who likely will be their first-round playoff opponent.
The K&A Variety Golden Hawks have made a charge of late, drawing within six points of the Ice Dogs. Dryden needs only a win or a tie over their last three games (which includes two against K&A) to secure third place.
If the Golden Hawks wind up in fourth place, they’ll face the North Stars in the first round of the playoffs.