Blaze Newcomer Named CHL Oakley Player of the Week

Published on December 5, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


After scoring the first Blaze hat trick of the season and leading the team's offensive attack in his first four games, Vladimir Nikiforov has been named the Central Hockey League Oakley Player of the Week.

The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, added the 24-year-old Long Island, New York resident on Thanksgiving weekend, and he promptly added an assist in a 4-3 thriller over the Allen Americans. During the past week, Nikiforov (pronounced NIK-ih-FORE-uv) registered a hat trick and an assist during Thursday's 6-2 win over Evansville, with all three goals tallied during the second period including the eventual game-winner. His first two goals were unassisted. Nikiforov lit the lamp twice the next night in a 7-3 loss at Tulsa. In his four games with the Blaze, Nikiforov has five goals and two assists for seven points and a plus-one rating. The Blaze are 2-2-0 since he joined the club, including wins over both conference leaders at the time.

This is Nikiforov's fourth professional season, breaking in with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in 2008, followed by stops in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies, Florida Everblades, Bakersfield Condors and Reading Royals. He was born in Lithuania, but moved to the United States when he was seven years old.

The Blaze are next in action on Friday night at 7:05 at U.S. Cellular Coliseum against the Fort Wayne Komets on Pepsi Date Night, when fans can bring a Pepsi product to the box office and receive a second ticket free with the purchase of a regular ticket. Also on Friday, with the purchase of any combo meal, a second meal of equal or lesser value is free. The Blaze host the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. Saturday for the annual Teddy Bear Toss, when fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to toss on ice after the first Blaze goal to donate to Toys for Tots. Group and ticket packages are available. For tickets and more information, call the Blaze office at 309-434-2980.

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