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Blaze Lose Early Lead as Komets Even Season Series

February 14, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, could not hold an early two-goal lead, as the Fort Wayne Komets broke a three-game losing streak to the Blaze with a 3-2 win on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Kyle Laughlin lit the lamp first to give the Blaze the early lead with 12:15 remaining in the first period when he skated to the left wing and lifted a drive in the upper left part of the goal, with assists going to Luke Popko and Vladimir Nikiforov. The Blaze made it 2-0 on a shorthanded goal by Jerry Pollastrone on a 2-on-1 break, also from the left circle, with 1:17 remaining in the opening period to send the Blaze into the first intermission with a two-goal lead.

The Komets entered the scoring with 9:32 left in the second period when Frankie DeAngelis redirected a Jamie Lovell drive from the high slot. The Komets tied the game at 2-2 with 3:26 left when Chris Auger scored a rebound goal on David Starenky's shot from the slot, with Brett Smith earning the second assist.

Fort Wayne took a 3-2 lead with 8:09 left in the third period when Jamie Milam took a return pass from Brett Smith and drove a shot from the slot on the stick side. The Blaze emptied their net for an extra attacker for the closing minute, but could not find the net as the Komets evened the season series with the Blaze at 4-4-0.

Neither team scored on the power play, as the Blaze were handed seven chances and the Komets received five. Nick Boucher earned his 27th win of the season with 26 saves, while Zane Kalemba fell to 13-14-3 with 30 saves. The Blaze fall to 17-25-5 as the Komets stay on top of the Turner Conference with a mark of 30-15-2.

The Blaze face the Komets twice more this week, in the next contest on Friday night at 7 p.m. Central in Fort Wayne and on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The Blaze will visit Dayton on Saturday at 6 p.m. Central. All games can be heard on WJBC.com and CHL-TV, and fans are invited to watch road games at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington. Sunday's contest is a Kitchen Cooked Family Day, with $5 admission for children 12 and under plus $3 kids meals of a hot dog, popcorn and drink. More information on Blaze hockey in the AA-level Central Hockey League can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, Facebook, Twitter and by calling 309-434-2980.

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