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Blaze Can't Hold Early Lead, Fall at Laredo

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


LAREDO, Texas - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, led after one period but could not score again in a 6-3 loss to the Laredo Bucks on Sunday at Laredo Energy Arena.

The Blaze struck first when Omar Pacha pried the puck out of the right corner and skated in to stab one inside the right post with 12:40 left in the opening period, assisted by Jerry Pollastrone. The Bucks quickly tied the contest when Matt Boyd turned one inside the left post with 11:39 remaining in the opening chapter. The Bucks made it 2-1 with 6:36 remaining in the first when they intercepted a pass at center ice and Eric Boisvert hammered home a one-timer from the high slot. The Blaze quickly got it back 55 seconds later when Jason Dale connected on a one-timer of his own from the slot with assists from Vladimir Nikiforov and Jerry Pollastrone with 5:41 left. Dale gave the Blaze the lead just under three minutes later when he slid one inside the right post, assisted by Kyle Laughlin and Craig Cescon, to give the Blaze a 3-2 lead going into the first intermission.

Laredo evened the game with 12:13 left in the second period when former Blaze defenseman Greg Moore slid a shot along the goal line from the left corner that trickled in off Blaze goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson. Laredo gained a 4-3 lead with just 23.5 seconds left in the period when A.J. Hau took a centering pass at the right post and hit an open net.

The Bucks increased the lead to 5-3 with 12:53 remaining in the third period as they capped an odd-man rush with a blast from the right side by Ryan Sparling. The Bucks made it 6-3 with 6:35 remaining on a rebound goal by Trevor Hunt.

Brian Mahoney-Wilson took the loss in goal with 32 saves, while Ryan Rondeau earned the win with 36 saves.

The Blaze conclude their road trip with a Wednesday night contest at Fort Wayne in the final meeting of the season with the Komets. Face-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central, with 6:15 pre-game on WJBC.com and CHL-TV. Fans are invited to watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington.

U.S. Cellular Coliseum and the Blaze will welcome hockey's biggest prize, the Stanley Cup, on Thursday when the Blaze return home to face the Quad City Mallards for a 7:05 p.m. contest. Fans are welcome to have a personal photo taken with the Cup for only $5. Gates open at 6 p.m. It's also Thirsty Thursday, with Budweiser and Bud Light drafts for only $2. The Blaze then host the Tulsa Oilers on Friday at 7:05 p.m. with Scorch bobbleheads given to the first 1,500 fans courtesy of Country Financial. Friday is also a Pepsi Date Night, when fans who bring a Pepsi product to the box office when buying a reserved seat ticket receive a second ticket free, and combo meals are priced two-for-one. The U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office is open weekdays from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on game days.

Follow the Blaze on Twitter (BLMBlaze) and on Facebook as well as at www.bloomingtonblaze.com. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more for the remaining five home games. For more information, call the Blaze office at 309-434-2980.

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