Blaze Give up Hat Trick in Loss to Rush

Published on January 30, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, gave up a hat trick by Konrad Reeder as they fell 4-0 to the Rapid City Rush on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Rapid City took the early lead just 4:09 into the game when Konrad Reeder got a shoulder in front of his defender and skated in for an open score. Reeder lit the lamp again just under three minutes later when the Blaze had difficulty clearing from behind their net, and Reeder found the puck in the left circle and scored. Rapid City rushed out to a 3-0 lead when Scott Wray found a wide-open net on a rebound with 2:45 remaining in the period to finish the scoring for the first 20 minutes.

After a scoreless second period, Reeder added his third goal with another breakaway, this time while shorthanded, with 16:18 left to give the Rush a 4-0 lead.

The teams were a combined 0-for-12 on the power play, with seven chances given to the Rush and five to the Blaze. The Rush outshot the Blaze 33-28. The Blaze suffered their third shutout loss of the season.

Blaze active season scoring leader Vladimir Nikiforov returned to the lineup after missing the third period of Saturday night's contest due to the birth of his son, Maxim Vladimirovich Nikiforov, who came into the world at six pounds, 12 ounces and 19 inches.

The Blaze are off until Saturday at 7:05 p.m. when they travel to Moline, Illinois to play the Quad City Mallards. The game can be heard on WJBC.com and CHL-TV, and fans are invited to watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill St. in Bloomington. The Blaze return to Bloomington next Tuesday to host the Evansville IceMen. Pyro Packs, the Blaze's eight-game ticket packages, are still available, as are group discounts and party packages. More information on Blaze hockey can be found on Facebook, Twitter (BLMBlaze), www.bloomingtonblaze.com or by calling 309-434-2980.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2012


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