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Blaze Prepare for Three Games in Four Days, Two on Home Ice

January 26, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, swing back into Central Hockey League action with three games in the next four days, including two on U.S. Cellular Coliseum ice.

The Blaze begin the weekend stretch with a Friday visit to Ford Center in Evansville for a 7:15 p.m. face-off against the IceMen. Evansville is tied with Fort Wayne for the top spot in the Turner Conference as the IceMen host Dayton tonight in the only Thursday CHL action. The Blaze are 2-5-0 against the IceMen, most recently taking one of three straight nights against Evansville two weeks ago. The IceMen are led by veteran center Todd Robinson, who is tied for the CHL lead in scoring (52 points) and leads the league with 42 assists. Robinson has scored four goals with 11 assists against the Blaze. Evansville's Bryan Gillis is the current Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week.

The Blaze fire back to U.S. Cellular Coliseum to host the Rapid City Rush for 7:05 p.m. games on Saturday and Monday. The Rush won the only other contest between the squads this season, a 4-2 decision on November 5 in Bloomington. The Rush are led by Shawn Limpright with 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points. Rapid City begins a seven-game road trip this weekend after completing a 6-1-1 home stand. The Rush are fifth in the Turner Conference, 12 points ahead of the Blaze.

Vladimir Nikiforov leads active Blaze skaters in scoring with 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. Kyle Laughlin is the active goal leader with 14 lamp-lighters. The Blaze are 5-4-0 in January. The Blaze continue to excel on special teams, as they currently hold the league's fourth-best penalty kill and the seventh-best power play.

Saturday is Military Night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, where military members who show current military identification are admitted for only $9, and the first 100 military members at the Blaze customer service table will receive a food voucher courtesy of Lynn Chevrolet-Buick in Pontiac. The Blaze will wear special military-themed jerseys that will be auctioned after the game. Also on Saturday, the first 1,500 fans will receive a puck with the Blaze inaugural season logo.

Monday's contest was moved a day later from the originally-scheduled date to accommodate Sunday's country music concert by Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Thompson Square. Fans who buy tickets to Monday's game may, at that time, buy the same number of tickets to the game on Tuesday, February 7 for only $1 each.

All Blaze games can be heard on WJBC.com and viewed on pay-per-view video on CHL-TV. Fans are also invited to watch all road games at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington. Group ticket packages and eight-game Pyro Packs are available, and more information on tickets, promotions and the team can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (BLMBlaze) or by calling the Blaze office at 309-434-2980.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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