Sports stats

Blaze Fall in Shootout to Mallards

February 4, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


MOLINE, Illinois - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, dropped a back-and-forth contest on Saturday night, losing 5-4 in a shootout to the Quad City Mallards at iWireless Center.

The Mallards opened the scoring just 3:21 into the game when Jared Brown scored on a 2-on-1 breakaway. The Flock increased the lead to 2-0 with 4:21 left in the period when Brandon Marino collected his league-leading 28th goal, but the Blaze answered 18 seconds later on the second goal of the season by Jerry Pollastrone, assisted by Aaron Dawson and Brodie Sheahan. Less than a minute later, Blaze goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson left the game due to injury when a stick came under his pads into his throat, and he was replaced by Zane Kalemba.

The Blaze quickly tied the game at 2-2 just 1:36 into the middle period when Mark Znutas scored his seventh goal on a rebound from an odd-man rush, with Brandon Richardson assisting. The Mallards broke the tie with only 47.1 seconds remaining in the period with a power play goal by Eric Giosa, which trickled in past two diving Blaze sticks, to give the Mallards a 3-2 lead at the second intermission.

The Blaze tied the game on their own power play just 2:23 into the third period when Vladimir Nikiforov rocketed his 13th goal from the high slot, assisted by Kyle Laughlin. The Blaze took the lead just 2:21 later when Jordy Trottier poked in a rebound for his fifth goal, assisted by Nikiforov and Craig Cescon. Quad City evened the score at 4-4 less than two minutes later at 6:26 into the final chapter when Sean Flanagan put home a rebound.

The teams could not dent the scoreboard through the remainder of regulation and the overtime, but Jared Brown, Eric Giosa and Brandon Marino each scored in the shootout while the Blaze were held off the board by Mallard netminder David Brown.

The Mallards outshot the Blaze 49-33. Each team was 1-for-3 on the power play.

The Blaze return home for a Two for Tuesday Night affair against the first-place Evansville IceMen. Opening face-off is set for 7:05 p.m. Fans can buy two lower bowl seats for only $14, and there will be $2 Pepsi products, hot dogs and popcorn available all night. The Blaze travel to Dayton on Thursday before returning to U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Friday to host the Arizona Sundogs in an activity-filled night, featuring special jerseys commemorating the Central Hockey League's 20th anniversary worn by the Blaze and auctioned after the game, and the first 1,200 fans receive a Blaze cap courtesy of Carpets Plus Color Tile. Friday is also a Pepsi Date Night, when fans who bring a Pepsi product to the Coliseum box office when buying a reserved seat ticket receive a second ticket free, and combo meals are two-for-one.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bloomington Blaze Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central