Blaze Shoot Past Tulsa to Continue Home Success

December 23, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, peppered Tulsa with 54 shots on the way to their sixth home win in seven tries at U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Friday, 2-1 over the Oilers.

The Oilers scored first with 6:37 left in the opening period when Marty Standish poked in a flurry in front of the net, a goal that didn't go onto the scoreboard until after a conversation between the officials. The Blaze tied the game in the period's final minute when Mark Znutas knocked one inside the left post during a delayed penalty with an extra attacker on for the Blaze. Assists went to Brodie Sheahan and Vladimir Nikiforov. The goal came on the Blaze's 28th and final shot of the period, which is the most shots on goal in any single period this season in the Central Hockey League.

The Blaze recorded the second period's only lamp-lighter with 2:27 left when Jon Booras put back a loose puck in a flurry at the top of the crease, assisted by Kyle Laughlin and Omar Pacha.

The third period stayed scoreless, and for the second straight game, the Blaze killed a long 5-on-3 power play to seal the win.

Zane Kalemba earned the win in goal with 26 saves. Mike Garman suffered the loss in the Tulsa goal, despite tying Kalemba for the most saves in a single game in the CHL this season with 52. The Blaze improve to 2-1-0 over Tulsa and 8-15-2 overall, while Tulsa falls to 14-9-2.

The Blaze are off until Tuesday, when they begin a five-day period with four games. The Blaze begin the busy week with Tuesday's game at Fort Wayne, followed by a Thursday contest at Dayton before returning home on Friday for the first matchup of the season against the Missouri Mavericks. The Blaze then return to Fort Wayne for the Komets' annual New Year's Eve game.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2011


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