Blaze Win Inaugural Game

Published on October 22, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, used a second-period offensive surge to win their first-ever game, 5-4 in overtime over the Dayton Gems on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. Jason Dale scored the game-winner on a rebound with 1:32 left in the extra session.

Dayton scored first with just 2:15 gone in the game when Damien Surma took a centering pass from behind the net from Nick Fanto and buried it on the glove side of Blaze goalie Marco Emond.

The Gems took the 1-0 lead into the active second period, but the Blaze tied the contest with a power play goal from Kyle Laughlin with 15:07 left in the frame. Dayton quickly regained the lead on a Brandon Naurato goal with 13:33 left, but the Blaze lit the lamp three straight times in the period on two goals from Brodie Sheahan and a tally from Mark Znutas to take a 4-2 lead into the final period.

Dayton tied the game with a goal from Jonathan Ornelas with 9:02 left in regulation and an unassisted goal by Nick Fanto off a Blaze turnover with 3:44 left.

Emond made two strong saves but was injured with 2:46 left in the extra frame, and was replaced by D.J. DelBuono, who made the final two saves for the Blaze. Bloomington took the win when Jason Dale crashed the net and put a rebound in with 1:32 left in overtime.

The Blaze continue the season-opening homestand next weekend with games on Friday and Saturday nights against the Quad City Mallards. Friday is Kitchen Cooked Potato Chips Family Night with another family four-pack deal of four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips and four drinks for only $25, available at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office only. Saturday is Bobak's Sausage Free Food Night, when everyone in attendance receives a voucher for sausage, chips and drink, and a Halloween costume contest will be conducted.

2011-2012 tickets are now on sale by calling the Blaze office at 309-434-2980. Offices are located inside U.S. Cellular Coliseum, located at 101 S. Madison Street in downtown Bloomington.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2011


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