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Blaze End Mavericks' Win Streak

January 20, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, broke open a scoreless game late and held off a potential comeback by defeating the Missouri Mavericks 3-2 on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The goal lights remained dark through the first two periods, although the Mavericks hit two posts and the Blaze trickled one that stopped on, not over, the goal line. The Blaze finally broke through at 9:57 of the third period when Luke Popko converted a wrap-around, assisted by Aaron Dawson and Craig Cescon. Jason Dale made it 2-0 with his eighth goal of the season with 6:41 remaining in regulation, assisted by Jerry Pollastrone and Vladimir Nikiforov. After the Mavericks emptied their net with under three minutes left, Nikiforov bounced the puck in for what proved to be the game-winning goal with 2:13 left. Missouri scored twice in the final two minutes, a tally by Patrick Schafer just before the net was knocked off with 1:45 left, and an extra-attacker goal by John-Scott Dickson from behind the cage with just over 30 seconds left. The Blaze withstood the remaining half-minute of extra-attacker offense to pick up their first win in three tries over the Mavericks.

Zane Kalemba took the win in goal for the Blaze with 33 saves to improve to 11-11-1. Charlie Effinger, who had shut out the Blaze in both previous meetings and is the current Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week, fell to 15-8-1 while also making 33 saves. Each team failed to score on three power plays. The Blaze improve to 14-21-2 and have won three of four in the second half, and the Mavericks four-game winning streak ends as they fall to 20-14-3.

The Blaze travel to Independence, Missouri for the rematch with the Mavericks on Saturday night at 7:05. The game can be heard live on WJBC.com and CHL-TV. Fans are also invited to watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington.

The Blaze host two games in the upcoming week, both against the Rapid City Rush. Saturday's game is Military Night, with tickets for military members with current identification and their families available for only $9. The first 100 military members who show current ID at the Blaze customer service table that night receive a free food voucher provided by Lynn Chevrolet-Buick in Pontiac. Blaze players will wear special jerseys to be auctioned after the game.

The Rapid City Rush continue the two-game set on Monday, January 30, a game that was moved one day later due to a concert headlined by country music stars Lady Antebellum. Fans who buy tickets to the Monday contest can, at that time, buy the same number of tickets to the Tuesday, February 7 home game against Evansville for just $1 each.

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