Blaze Drop Hard-Fought Decision at Quad City

Published on March 10, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


MOLINE - The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to the Quad City Mallards on Sunday at iWireless Center.

The Blaze used their second power play to score first on a Steve Makway wrister from the left point with assists given to Jon Booras and David Gilbert with 7:37 remaining in the opening period.

The Mallards converted their second power play just 53 seconds into the second period when Mickey Lang buried a rebound at the left post assisted by Obi Aduba and Mike Hellyer. The Flock were handed another power play quickly and earned the same result with 16:03 left in the middle period when Matt Duffy punched home a rebound on assists from Lang and Anthony Perdicaro to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. Matthew Larke wristed a tying goal with 13:11 remaining in the second period thanks to assists from Makway and Booras.

Quad City broke the tie with 8:30 remaining in the third period when Mike Stinziani scored a diving goal in front of the net, assisted by Mike Hellyer and Shayne Toporowski.

The Blaze were 1-for-3 on the power play while the Mallards were 2-of-5. Neil conway earned a 32-save win while Ross MacKinnon was tagged with the loss after making 29 saves. The loss extends the Blaze losing streak to a season-longest five games, and the Blaze have now lost seven straight road games and 10 of their last 11 contests away from home.

The Blaze return home for the first time in 11 days on Tuesday in a rematch with the Mallards in another game with post-season ramifications as the Blaze are now eight points behind Quad City in the race for the final playoff spot. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pre-game on WJBC.com, CHL-TV and 93.7 FM in U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Tuesday is a Casey's 8 Gallons Night in which fans receive a voucher to buy a ticket for only $8 for each eight gallons of fuel purchased at area Casey's General Stores. Vouchers can also be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com.

The Blaze then visit Quad City again on Friday before hosting the Denver Cutthroats on Saturday and Sunday, all at 7:05 p.m. The Junior Blaze, after a 5-2 loss at Hartland on Saturday, finish the regular season against the Rhinelander Street Cats at 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday before the Blaze games. Complete fan information on the Blaze can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMBlaze) or by calling 309-TC SPORT (827-7678). For single-game tickets, visit the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office weekdays between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or call 309-434-2679.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2013


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