Blaze Fall Behind Early, Lose at Dayton

Published on December 18, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


DAYTON, Ohio - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, gave up two goals in the first minute and lost 6-2 to the Dayton Gems on Sunday at Hara Arena.

The Gems put the Blaze in an early two-goal hole in the game's first minute. Matthew Larke scored on a two-on-none breakaway only 31 seconds into the game, and Jonathan Ornelas added a tally from the right circle just 17 seconds later. Aaron Dawson got one score back for the Blaze with a wrist shot from the right circle assisted by Jon Booras and goalie Zane Kalemba with 10:57 left in the opening chapter. The Gems would push the lead back to two with 8:25 remaining when Charlie Townsend put the puck in from above the crease, sending the teams to the first intermission with a 3-1 Dayton lead.

Dayton added to the lead with 12:33 left in the middle period when Ben Winnett took a turnover at center ice and skated in for a short-handed goal, the second straight game the Blaze have given up a short-handed tally.

The Gems quickly struck in the third, just 1:55 into the frame, when Nick Fanto scored on a breakaway to increase the lead to 5-1 and end the night for Kalemba in the Blaze goal, as Mark Sibbald saw his first action in a Blaze sweater. The Blaze put their second goal on the board with 13:41 remaining on a putback by Kyle Laughlin, assisted by Jason Dale and Vladimir Nikiforov. Dayton added goal number six with a putback by Jonathan Ornelas off his own rebound with 6:27 remaining.

The Blaze fall to 6-15-2 while the Gems improve to 10-10-4. The Blaze outshot the Gems 42-36. Larry Sterling earned the win in net for the second straight night, making 40 saves. Kalemba took the loss with 24 saves.

The Blaze travel to Moline on Tuesday to face the Quad City Mallards at 7:05 p.m. with pre-game on WJBC.com and CHL-TV at 6:45. Fans are invited to watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington. The Blaze return home on Friday to take on the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. on another Pepsi Date Night. Fans who bring a Pepsi product to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office when buying a reserved seat ticket receive a second ticket free, and with the purchase of a combo meal, the second of equal or lesser value is free. More information is available at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (BLMBlaze) or by calling the Blaze office at 309-434-2980.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2011


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