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Blaze Prepare for Home-And-Home Against Mavericks

January 19, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, prepare to face one of the hottest teams in the Central Hockey League twice this weekend, beginning with a home contest on Friday.

The Blaze (13-21-3, 7th Turner Conference) take on the Missouri Mavericks on Friday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum and Saturday at the Mavericks' home, Independence Event Center in suburban Kansas City. The Mavericks have defeated the Blaze by identical 3-0 scores in the only other meetings this season. Saturday's game is the first between the clubs at Missouri, and begins a seven-game home stand for the Mavericks. Both games are scheduled to face-off at 7:05 p.m.

The Blaze are led by Vladimir Nikiforov with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. Brodie Sheahan returned to the team for the last contest on Sunday and contributed his 17th assist to share the team lead with Jason Dale. The Blaze took two of three games last weekend, defeating the Turner Conference-leading Fort Wayne Komets on the road on Friday, and ended a three-game winning streak by the Quad City Mallards on Sunday in Bloomington, both by 2-1 scores.

The Mavericks (20-13-3, T-3rd Turner Conference) have won four straight games and eight of their last nine contests. They are led by Sebastien Thinel, who is sixth in the CHL in scoring with 45 points on 12 goals and 33 assists. Goaltender Charlie Effinger has recorded two shutouts this season, both against the Blaze. All-Star Andrew Courtney leads the Mavericks with 16 goals.

Friday's contest at U.S. Cellular Coliseum is a Pepsi Date Night, when fans who bring a Pepsi product to the Coliseum box office when buying a reserved seat ticket will receive a second ticket free, and combo meals are two-for-one. Friday is also Scout Night, with discounted tickets for local Girl Scout, Brownie, Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops.

The Blaze will be home next Saturday, January 28 and Monday, January 30 against the Rapid City Rush. The Monday, January 30 contest was moved a day later due to a concert at U.S. Cellular Coliseun headlined by Lady Antebellum. Anyone who buys a regular ticket for the January 30 game can purchase a ticket for the Tuesday, February 7 game against Evansville for only one dollar.

The Blaze offer discount packages for groups of 10 or more, and also still have eight-game Pyro Packs available. More information on the Bloomington Blaze can be found on Facebook, Twitter (BLMBlaze), www.bloomingtonblaze.com or by calling 309-434-2980.

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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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