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Bloomington Blaze Weekly

March 26, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, concluded their second season by remaining in the Central Hockey League playoff hunt until the final week.

LAST WEEK:

Tuesday, Mar. 19- Missouri Mavericks 4, @Blaze 2

--Jon Booras scored 34 seconds into the game and the Blaze led 2-1 after two periods, but the Mavs tied the game 59 seconds into the third and scored the game-winner with 2:42 remaining.

Friday, Mar. 22- @Quad City Mallards 6, Blaze 3

--The Flock scored four straight goals and held off a third-period Blaze rally.

Saturday, Mar. 23- Quad City Mallards 4, Blaze 2

--Matthew Larke scored 44 seconds into the game and Jon Booras also tallied in the back-and-forth home finale, but the Mallards scored the game winner near the midpoint of the third.

Sunday, Mar. 24- @Quad City Mallards 2, Blaze 1

--All the scoring occurred in the second period as the Mallards used a 5-on-3 power play to score the game-winner.

Closing the book: The Blaze finished their second season with a record of 28-36-2 for 58 points, which was an improvement of three points and four wins over last season. The injury-depleted Blaze dropped their final five games, equaling their longest losing streak, and their last 10 road contests. Jon Booras led the Blaze with 86 points (32 goals, 54 assists) followed by Nicklas Lindberg with 53 points (14g, 39a). Matthew Larke and Travis Granbois each registered 47 points while Steve Makway recorded 45 points. Makway led the Blaze in penalty minutes with 151 followed by Granbois with 143.

Blaze anatomy: The Blaze put a full roster on the ice only twice in the second half of the season. Injuries cost the Blaze more than 130 player-games in the final two months. Only Jon Booras and Nicolas Rioux played in all 66 games. Travis Granbois was injured in the home finale and only missed the final game.

Jonny be good: Blaze captain Jon Booras finished the season with a five-game point streak and points in 12 of the last 15 games. Booras finished second in CHL scoring with 86 points (32g, 54a) and was a finalist for the league's Most Valuable Player (although oddly, he missed All-CHL honors). He was also a finalist for CHL Man of the Year.

Junior Blaze recap: The Junior Blaze bowed out of the Midwest Junior Hockey League playoffs with 1-0 and 9-2 losses last weekend at the top seed Hartland Hounds. Matt Donley led the team in scoring with 77 points (23g, 54a) followed by Joe Clemente with 76 points (30g, 46a) and Steven Smoltz with 74 points (32g, 42a). Donley, Smoltz and goaltender Gavin Carlson were named to the All-MWJHL Team with honorable mention given to Clemente, defenseman Patrick Anaruk and goaltender Will Rohleder.

Being social: Blaze information can be found on Facebook (Bloomington Blaze), Twitter (BLMBlaze) and www.bloomingtonblaze.com. Ticket information for 2013-14, including season ticket renewals, will be announced in the coming weeks. The Blaze and Edge indoor football can be reached at 309-TC SPORT (827-7678).

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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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