Blaze Stay Hot in Home Opener
October 27, 2009 - All American Hockey League (AAHL)
Chicago Blaze News Release
Rolling Meadows, Illinois - The Chicago Blaze won their home opener in style with a 6-1 win over the Detroit Hitmen. The win was the Blaze second in a row to start the AAHL season.
The first period of Saturdays game looked much different than the one the two teams played the night before; and it wasn't just because the venue had changed. As the teams started the second half of their home and home series it was clear that neither team wanted to give up as many goals as they had the night before. In Detroit, when the first period ended the Blaze led 6-3. On this night there would only be one first period goal when Mike Maier netted his second of the season just 44 seconds into the game.
The Blaze offense found its groove in the second period and posted four goals in four minutes. The first goal was a Ryan Fultz third on the year at the 5:59 mark from Tony Giacalone and Kevin High. Twenty seconds later Arik Lebda, who assisted on Maier's goal, picked up the puck in the Blaze zone carried it into the Hitmen zone and blasted a slap-shot past Detroit goalie Bill Ruggiero. T.J. Schneider, picked up the Blaze third goal of the period from Maier and Pat Lee. After the Blaze took a 4-0 they started taking penalties, Kryryll Katrych was sent to the box for hooking. Then with 17 seconds remaining on Katrych's penalty Joe Pace was sent to the box for checking from behind.
Blaze keeper Adam Dekker made a pair of fantastic saves during the 5 on 3 to keep Detroit off of the board. Seconds after Katrych was released from the box Lee found himself on a shorthanded breakaway and beat Ruggiero to put the Blaze up 5-0 at 9:56 of the second period. The Hitmen were finally able to solve Dekker just 18 seconds later when Peter Pritchett scored on the power play. Dekker, who had given up five goals the night before said, "Obviously a win is a win; but it feels good to only give up the one tonight."
After two nights of play and the score seemingly out of hand, the frustrations started to boil over. Schneider and Detroit forward Emery Lovse dropped the gloves, a fight which Schneider won handily. Then after Lebda lost his helmet delivering a big hit along the boards Matt Mosley flipped it up and over the glass earning a ten minute misconduct. The seven minutes into the third Lebda and Ryan Sexsmith dropped the gloves. Lebda doffed his mitts right after the puck was dropped, however Sexsmith refused to fight until the Lebda already had him in his grasp. This earned Lebda an extra two penalty minutes for instigating. After the game Lebda said that the fight had "boiled over from last night." Maier closed out the scoring with a goal with just under four minutes to play.
Notes: Besides recording a Gordie Howe hat trick Arik Lebda was the top +/- player for the Blaze at +3. The Blaze out-shot the Hitmen 42-35. Blaze Defenseman, Mark Hammersmith, remains on injured reserve with a lower body injury. The Blaze play two home games next week; Friday at 7:25pm against the Chi-Town Shooters, and Saturday at 7pm against the Madison Ice-Muskies. Tickets for both games are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
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- Blaze Stay Hot in Home Opener - Chicago Blaze
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