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Blaze Split Weekend Set with Mavericks

January 21, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, split their weekend series with the Missouri Mavericks by losing on Saturday night, 7-4 at Independence Events Center.

The Mavericks took only 1:14 open the scoring when John-Scott Dickson scored an unassisted goal from the slot. Missouri made it 2-0 on a power play goal from Sebastien Thinel just 7:03 into the first period. The Blaze earned one back when Luke Popko tallied a power play goal at 9:34 of the opening period, assisted by Omar Pacha and Aaron Dawson. The Blaze tied the action with 7:12 left in the opening period on a Kyle Laughlin deflection from Doug Krantz, with Brandon Richardson earning his first Blaze point with the other assist. The Mavericks regained the lead with 5:30 left in the first with Brandon Coccimiglio collecting a rebound goal at the left post. Missouri collected another rebound goal with 2:46 left, again by Coccimiglio, as the hectic first period ended with a 4-2 Mavericks lead.

Missouri added to the lead again just 1:14 into the middle period, and again by John-Scott Dickson, to increase the advantage for the Mavericks to 5-2 and end the night for Blaze goalie Zane Kalemba, who was replaced by Brian Mahoney-Wilson. Luke Popko lit the lamp for the second time in the game and the third time of the weekend against the Mavericks, assisted by Vladimir Nikiforov and Jordy Trottier. The Mavericks took 23 seconds to counter that score, as Andrew Favot scored his first Maverick goal on a 2-on-1 breakaway to give Missouri a 6-3 lead at the second intermission.

The Blaze struck first in the third period when Jason Dale scored his ninth goal of the season on a deflection from Aaron Dawson, also assisted by Jerry Pollastrone, on a power play with 14:45 remaining to cut the Missouri lead to 6-4.

The Blaze outshot the Mavericks 43-27. The Blaze were 2-of-7 on the power play while the Mavericks converted twice in eight attempts. The Mavericks improve to 21-14-3 with their seventh straight home win, while the Blaze fall to 14-22-3.

The Blaze play three games in four days next week, beginning with a Friday contest at Evansville before returning home for Saturday and Monday games against the Rapid City Rush. Saturday is Military Night, with $9 advance tickets for military members showing current identification and food vouchers for the first 100 military members courtesy of Lynn Chevrolet-Buick in Pontiac. The first 1,500 fans will receive a Blaze puck, and the Blaze will wear special military-themed jerseys to be auctioned after the game. The Monday, January 30 contest was moved one day later due to a concert by Lady Antebellum, and fans who buy tickets to that contest may also, at that time, buy the same number of tickets to the Tuesday, February 7 game for $1 each.

Group discounts and eight-game Pyro Packs are still available. Information on Blaze hockey can be found on Facebook, Twitter (BLMBlaze), www.bloomingtonblaze.com or by calling 309-434-2980.

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