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Blaze Host IceMen Twice Before All-Star Break

January 5, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, look to build on a victory over the division leader as they face the Evansville IceMen over three straight days this weekend.

The Blaze (10-18-2, 7th Turner Conference) are coming off a 4-2 win on Tuesday at home over the Turner Conference-leading Fort Wayne Komets. The Blaze host the IceMen on Friday and Saturday nights before traveling to Evansville on Sunday before the Central Hockey League All-Star break. The Blaze are 1-3-0 against the IceMen, but the last two contests were decided by only one goal. Vladimir Nikiforov is the leading Blaze scorer against the IceMen, playing in just three of the four games but scoring four goals and one assist in those matchups. The Blaze are expected to be without their scoring leaders, as top goal scorer and points leader Jon Booras suffered a lower-body injury during Tuesday's win and assist leader Brodie Sheahan continues to recover from an upper-body injury.

The Blaze have called up forward Brandon Richardson, a rookie who has scored 13 goals with 10 assists for 23 points with 44 penalty minutes in 26 games this season with the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Evansville (16-9-2, 3rd Turner Conference) is led by Brian Bicek with 15 goals and veteran captain Todd Robinson with 30 assists and 39 points. Robinson is tied for the CHL lead in helpers and is fourth in scoring. Three of his goals and four of his assists have been tallied against the Blaze.

Friday's 7:05 p.m. game is another Pepsi Date Night, when 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 any combo meal, the second meal of equal or lesser value is free.

Saturday features the annual Guns and Hoses Night, when Bloomington police and firefighters face off in their annual game at 4 p.m. followed by the Blaze contest at 7:05. Both games are included in the admission. During the game, the Blaze will wear special jersey which will be auctioned after the contest, with proceeds benefitting Special Olympics Illinois. Fans arriving for the Guns and Hoses game between the police and firefighters are asked to use the VIP entrance on the south side of U.S. Cellular Coliseum, and gates will open at 3:30 p.m. Also on Saturday, the first 1,200 fans will receive a T-shirt compliments of Mid-Illini Credit Union and B-104.

Group and multi-game ticket packages are available, and more information is available by calling 309-434-2980. Team information including the schedule can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter (BLMBlaze).

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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.

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