Thunder tripped up by Blizzard

The OCN in OCN Blizzard could have stood for “One Cool Netminder” here Friday night.
Backup goalie David Herman allowed only one goal after coming on in relief of starter Ray McManus in the second period, making several key stops down the stretch to preserve a 3-2 victory over the Borderland Thunder in pre-season action at the Ice for Kids Arena.
The five-time defending champs of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League were pushed to the limit by the Thunder, the reigning SIJHL titleists, before using two special teams goals in the third period to rally for the win.
“I think we were a bit in awe early on and I think we were playing the puck a little, but that comes from playing summer hockey all year,” Thunder head coach Dave Allison said about his team’s first competitive action in five months.
“For a first game, our guys really played well. I thought it was an outstanding effort from top to bottom,” he added.
Scouts from Bemidji State University were in the stands inspecting the on-ice talent from both teams, and Allison believes they got a healthy eyeful of what his players are capable of doing.
“Our guys really didn’t look out of place, and that’s what this league and that’s what this team is about,” he stressed. “I think of [Dan] Hoehne and [Kurt] Hogard and [Kevin] Webb.
“They’re older guys, and this will give them an opportunity to impress in front of major colleges.”
Webb gave early notice of his potential for big things ahead for this season—and future ones, too.
His combined forechecking effort with Ian Lockman in the first period forced a turnover that set up rookie Thunder defenceman Sean Councillor, who grabbed the puck and rifled a low shot past McManus at 13:25 for a 1-0 lead.
“We talked about it earlier that Kevin Webb should be one of the best players in the league, and he was one of the best players out there tonight,” lauded Allison.
“It’s really exciting when our team is led by the guys who were here last year.
“The guys that were here last year know it takes a lot of hard work, but I saw a lot of guys going to the net and being physical,” Allison added. “It’s not brain surgery. Our kids played hard, and I think it’s really something to build on.”
The Thunder won most of battles along the boards in the first period, but the Blizzard, who already had two exhibition games under their belts this season, picked up the pace in the second.
After the Thunder couldn’t clear their own zone, the puck was sent in front of the net, where Brett Needham whacked a shot past Hoehne at 9:53 to tie the score.
Hoehne’s play certainly didn’t hurt his chances with the assembled scouts as he was given full opportunity to shine by Allison, who played him for the entire 60 minutes despite the exhibition environment.
“We think Danny Hoehne can play at a higher level, and basically, this was to let them see how good a good goaltender he was, and is,” said Allison.
“Baldy [Jaret Baldwin] and [Dustin] Tkachuk will play another game,” he said of the team’s back-up goalie candidates. “But tonight was moreso to showcase and promote Danny Hoehne.”
Webb then put in an early bid for goal-of-the-year honours right off the bat in the final period.
After cleanly winning the face-off, Webb gathered the puck and took off with a full head of steam for the Blizzard’s zone. He scooted in untouched, then rocketed a wrist shot past Herman on the glove side to put the Thunder back in front at the eight-second mark.
Special teams play became a factor as the period wore on, though, and the Thunder paid for the chances they surrendered—and the ones they never cashed in on.
With OCN’s Mark Wallman off for slashing, Blizzard forward Kiel Wilgosh busted in on the left wing and blasted the puck into the top of the net to the far side of Hoehne at 5:57 to tie the game 2-2.
“That was a beautiful shot,” Allison said of the shorthanded goal.
Then only nine seconds after the Thunder were tagged for too many men on the ice, Wallman drove to the net and popped a shot past Hoehne for the eventual game-winner at 8:08.
The Thunder had four power-plays in the third, including a two-man advantage for 53 seconds with five minutes to go. But Herman stood tall between the pipes for OCN until the buzzer.
“We went over the power-play breakout this morning twice each, and that was it,” noted Allison. “We had a couple of chances on the five-on-three, but the biggest thing we’re looking for is effort.
“I liked the effort tonight. If you’re going to get effort, you’re going to get the chance to get the win,” he reasoned.
The Thunder will complete their pre-season schedule with a home-and-home series against the Fargo-Moorhead Jets—a first-year team in the North American League.
Borderland will be there this Monday (Sept. 15), then host the Jets next Wednesday (Sept. 17) at 8:30 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Tickets will cost $5 each, and only will be available at the door.
The Thunder will kick off their regular season Sept. 19 here against the Thunder Bay KC Bulldogs.