Blaze Fall in Another Back-And-Forth Game in Missouri

Published on March 23, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, lost a back-and-forth contest to the host Missouri Mavericks 5-3 on Friday night at the Independence Event Center.

The Blaze lit the first goal lamp just 1:59 into the contest when Jordy Trottier put back a rebound from Brandon Richardson that had hit the left post, with Jon Booras earning the second assist. The Mavericks tied the game at 1-1 with 5:32 left in the opening period when David Simoes won a face-off in the Bloomington zone to Ed McGrane, who drove his 26th goal from the left circle. Missouri made it 2-1 just over two minutes later with 3:30 left when Ryan Jardine drove in to the right post and scored. The Blaze tied the game at 2-2 heading into the first intermission with an unassisted goal when Kyle Laughlin wristed a shot on the run from the left circle with only 44.1 seconds remaining.

Missouri regained a lead at 3-2 with 14:55 left in the second period when John-Scott Dickson ran deep into the right wing and sent the puck into the net off of a Blaze skate. The Blaze evened the count again when Jon Booras converted a wraparound with 10:30 remaining in the middle period, with assists given to Vladimir Nikiforov and Lee McClure.

The Mavericks took the lead with 15:13 left in the third when they took advantage of a Blaze turnover with Brandon Smith's shot from the left circle. Missouri extended the lead to 5-3 when a pass deflected to Sebastien Thinel at the right post with 8:48 left in regulation.

The win clinched the third straight playoff appearance for the Mavericks, as they capture the final Turner Conference berth. Brian Mahoney-Wilson took the loss in net with 25 saves, while Charlie Effinger stopped 32 shots for the win.

The Blaze conclude their inaugural season on Saturday night by returning to Illinois to face the Quad City Mallards. Face-off at iWireless Center in Moline is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and pre-game on WJBC.com and CHL-TV is at 6:45. Fans are invited to watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington.

Ticket information for the 2012-2013 season is available by calling the Blaze office at 309-434-2980. Fans can keep up with the Blaze at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMBlaze).

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2012


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