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Blaze Conclude First Half with Loss at Evansville

January 8, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


EVANSVILLE, Indiana - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, could not hold an early lead and fell on Sunday to the Evansville IceMen 4-1 at the Ford Center.

The Blaze thwarted some early IceMen chances and converted on their first legitimate scoring opportunity when Vladimir Nikiforov converted a 2-on-1 for his 11th goal, assisted by Jason Dale and Jerry Pollastrone at 12:43 into the first period. The IceMen answered on their own cross-ice pass with the team-leading 17th goal from Brian Bicek with 4:29 left in the period to send the team to the first intermission tied at 1-1.

Evansville took a 2-1 lead with 10:15 remaining in the middle period on a power play goal, a deflection at the top of the crease by Josh Beaulieu. That was all of the second period scoring as the IceMen took the 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

The IceMen extended their advantage to 3-1 on a power play goal by Todd Robinson from the right point, on a man advantage given immediately after the Blaze failed to convert a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play. The IceMen made it 4-1 when Sean O'Connor took a long pass as he exited the penalty box and scored on a breakaway with 10:21 left.

Zane Kalemba made 28 saves in the loss. Brian Gillis took the win in net with 27 saves. The IceMen are tied for second in the Turner Conference at the break with an 18-9-3 record, while the Blaze end the first half in seventh place with a mark of 11-20-2.

Aaron Dawson will represent the Blaze in Wednesday's Central Hockey League All-Star Game at Prescott Valley, Arizona. The game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. Central.

The Blaze begin the second half of the season on Friday at Fort Wayne, followed by home contests on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks and Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against the Quad City Mallards. The first 1,000 fans on Saturday will receive a water bottle compliments of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. Sunday is Kitchen Cooked Family Fun Day, with tickets for kids 12 and under only $5 and $3 kids meals (hot dog, chips, drink). Call the Blaze office for more information at 309-434-2980, or like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (BLMBlaze) and check www.bloomingtonblaze.com.

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