Bloomington Blaze Weekly

October 24, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze put the inaugural game in franchise history in the win column in exciting fashion on Saturday, 5-4 in overtime over the Dayton Gems. Returning Bloomington players filled big roles in the victory, as Jason Dale put a rebound home for the winner at 3:28 of the extra frame after second-year forward Brodie Sheahan scored back-to-back goals in the second period. Each player returned the favor, assisting on each other's goals. Newcomers Kyle Laughlin and Mark Znutas scored the other Blaze goals, with a pair of helpers added by Doug Krantz and the remaining assists provided by Karl Fournier and Jon Booras. Goaltender D.J. DelBuono played the final 1:14, replacing an injured Marco Emond, and took the win by making two saves. Emond recorded 20 saves before leaving the contest.

DUCK SEASON: The Blaze's closest rival geographically visits Bloomington for back-to-back games this Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The Quad City Mallards lost their only game of the past weekend, 5-1 to the Rapid City Rush at iWireless Center in Moline.

--Friday night is Kitchen Cooked Potato Chips Family Night featuring another $25 Family Four Pack deal (four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips, four drinks) when the package is purchased at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office.

--Saturday night is Bobak's Sausage Night Free Food Night as vouchers for sausage, chips and a drink will be given to all fans in attendance. It's just two nights before Halloween, so fans can participate in a costume contest and wear their spookiest and craziest outfits.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Blaze begin Season One with an extended stay at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The first five games are on home ice, but the first road trip involves five games in eight days, beginning with two games at the Texas Brahmas before rematches with the Quad City Mallards and Dayton Gems.

REMEMBERING LOKOMOTIV: Coach Paul Gardner once coached Lokomotiv Yarislavl, the Russian hockey team devastated by a plane crash in early September. As a memorial to the team and the many players he coached who died in the crash, Gardner placed a two-ruble coin in the ice at the red line, where it will stay for the season.

AYE, CAPTAIN: The Blaze announced its captains on Saturday. Jason Dale has been named captain, while Aaron Dawson and Ryan Palmer have been designated alternate captains.

WELCOME BACK: Familiar faces return to the ice in Bloomington for the Blaze.

--Jon Booras begins his sixth season in Central Illinois with 345 games in a Bloomington uniform in the previous five campaigns. Booras holds the Bloomington single-season record with 100 points and 60 assists in 2008-09. The Billings, Montana native has tallied 128 goals and 198 assists in a Bloomington sweater.

--Jason Dale begins his third professional season and second season in Bloomington after leading the club with 52 points last season on 17 goals and 35 assists in 63 games. Dale was named the Most Valuable Player in last season's Central Hockey League All-Star Game.

--Marco Emond puts on the goaltender pads for his second season in Bloomington and his 14th season as a professional. The native of Quebec recorded a save percentage of .899 with a record of 25-15-2 in 44 games last season.

--Aaron Dawson returns to help anchor the blue line after earning a +11 rating while recording four goals and eight assists in 50 games. Dawsonis a native of nearby Peoria, Illinois.

--Brodie Sheahan begins his second professional season after debuting in Bloomington last year. Sheahan lit the lamp seven times with 18 assists for 25 points in 29 games with Bloomington last season.

--Mike Zbriger returns to Bloomington for the first time in four seasons. Zbriger called U.S. Cellular Coliseum home in 2006-07, playing 44 games for Bloomington while scoring 17 goals and 21 assists in 44 games.

MASTER GARDNER: Blaze head coach Paul Gardner has been behind the bench in Bloomington, but for the visiting Mississippi RiverKings last season. Gardner brings extensive playing and coaching experience to Bloomington, having spent all or part of 11 seasons skating in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Rockies, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres for a total of 447 games. His coaching career includes five seasons as an assistant with the Nashville Predators.

TUNE IN: All Blaze games can be heard world-wide on WJBC.com. Smartphone users can also go to WJBC.com and listen. Pre-game begins 20 minutes before opening face-off. Coach Paul Gardner also joins R.C. McBride and Jim Fitzpatrick on WJBC (1230 AM, 93.7 FM, WJBC.com) nearly every Thursday afternoon at 4:10, and visits with Jackson Stevens on I-Rock (96.7 FM) every Thursday afternoon during the 5 o'clock hour.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2011


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