Blaze Suffer Third Shootout Loss of Week

Published on February 10, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, gave up a hat trick by former Bloomington skater Craig Macdonald and sustained their third shootout loss of the week, 5-4 on Friday night to the Arizona Sundogs at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The Blaze broke onto the scoreboard first only 2:24 into the game when Luke Popko stabbed in a rebound for his 13th goal, with assists to Omar Pacha and Kyle Laughlin. Former Bloomington skater Craig Macdonald tied the game with 13:34 left in the opening period when he poked a rebound home inside the right post.

Bloomington opened second period scoring just short of the halfway mark when Brodie Sheahan buried a perfect pass from Jon Booras at the top of the crease, with the second assist given to Travis Granbois with 10:05 remaining. The Sundogs tied the game with only 1:17 left in the middle period when Adam Smyth found a slowed-down centering pass at the top of the crease and snapped it in to make it 2-2 going into the second intermission.

The teams quickly exchanged goals in the late third period. Doug Krantz gave the Blaze a 3-2 lead with his third goal at 11:15, assisted by Luke Popko, but the Sundogs tied the game 2:15 later at 13:50 when Macdonald recorded his second goal of the night off the right post. The Blaze regained the lead only 33 seconds later when Jason Dale broke up a pass and started a two-on-one break that he finished himself for his tenth goal of the season to put the Blaze ahead 4-3, with the assist to Vladimir Nikiforov. Macdonald completed his hat trick to tie the game with only 35.6 seconds remaining in regulation when he put a rebound over prone Blaze goaltender Zane Kalemba to send the game to overtime.

After a scoreless overtime, the Blaze entered their third shootout of the last four games, but ended up with the same result. Craig Macdonald for the Sundogs and Jason Dale for the Blaze were the only scorers in the shootout until the sixth round, when Kevin Petovello scored to end the game.

Bloomington outshot Arizona 36-29. The Sundogs converted two of nine power play chances, while the Blaze again failed to convert a man advantage.

The Blaze activated Jon Booras from injured reserve before the game, after the team's goal co-leader missed 14 games due to a hamstring tear five weeks ago. To make room for Booras, forward Chris Ferazzoli was waived; Ferazzoli appeared in seven games with the Blaze, registering one assist and a minus-one rating.

The Blaze continue the homestand with a pair of games against the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday and Tuesday. Sunday's 4:05 p.m. face-off is a Kitchen Cooked Family Day, with tickets for children 12 and under just $5 and kids meals (hot dog, popcorn, drink) only $3, plus all fans are invited to skate with the players after the game. Tuesday's 7:05 contest is a Two for Tuesday, with two bowl seats only $14 and $2 hot dogs, popcorn and Pepsi products available all evening. More information on the Blaze is available at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, Facebook, Twitter (BLMBlaze) and by calling 309-434-2980. All Blaze games can be heard on WJBC.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2012


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.

OurSports Central