Bloomington Blaze Weekly

Published on October 31, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, prepare for two games on U.S. Cellular Coliseum ice this weekend to conclude a five-game homestand to begin the 2011-12 Central Hockey League season.

LAST TIME OUT: The Blaze dropped both games last weekend on home ice to the Quad City Mallards. The Blaze could not sustain a two-goal lead late in the third period and fell in overtime on Friday, 6-5. The Mallards scored twice in the first 1:16 on Saturday and never looked back in a 6-2 victory over the Blaze to complete a weekend sweep.

NEXT TIME OUT: The Blaze host the Evansville IceMen on Friday at 7:05 p.m. on Penny Pincher Date Night. With the purchase of a reserved ticket, fans get another reserved seat free, and with the purchase of any combo meal, another combo meal of equal or lesser value is also free. The IceMen are 1-0-1, playing at their Indiana counterpart Fort Wayne both times. The IceMen beat the Komets 5-0 on opening night last Saturday but lost a week later 4-3 in a shootout.

--The Blaze host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night at 7:05 on a night that features the largest giveaway in U.S. Cellular Coliseum's five-year history. A lucky fan will drive away in a brand new 2012 Hyundai Accent worth $17,000 in the Extreme Motors Great Car Giveaway Night. Fans can earn up to five chances to win the car by bringing in canned food and non-perishable food items for the Clare House Food Pantry on Saturday night. In thanks, fans will receive an entry into the drawing for each food item donated (limit five). No purchase is necessary, and complete rules can be found at www.uscellularcoliseum.com or at the Coliseum box office. The Rush have taken seven of a possible eight points on the young season, losing their opener in a shootout at Wichita, but then winning at Quad City and twice over Dayton at home to start with a 3-0-1 mark.

ON FIRE: Kyle Laughlin is the leading goal-scorer of the Blaze's young season, scoring one goal in each of the three contests. Captain Jason Dale leads the team in points with six, five of which have been assists. Laughlin, Dale and Doug Krantz have earned points in all three Blaze games.

STATISTICAL SPARKS: Brodie Sheahan's two goals have both come on the power play, making him one of only four players in the CHL to record two man-advantage tallies...Doug Krantz leads all CHL defensemen in scoring with five points; he is tied for the league lead in power play assists with three, and his four assists have tied him for the league lead among defensemen...Jason Dale's six points (1 G, 5 A) puts him in sixth in the league in a five-way tie, two points out of the lead...just two games into his season, Zane Kalemba is already fifth in saves with 87, and has the most saves in a single game in the CHL so far this season with 52 on Friday ...Mark Znutas has the unique distinction of leading the CHL defensemen in shooting percentage; despite taking only two shots, he has scored on one of them...the Blaze are second in the CHL in goals per game (four), but last in goals against (5.33).

MARCO'S IN A POLO: Goaltender Marco Emond is expected to begin practicing with the Blaze again this week when he comes off the ten-day injured reserve list. Emond suffered a concussion in overtime during the season-opening win.

AYE, KALEMBA: Goalie Zane Kalemba was considered one of the nation's best college hockey players while he was in the net at Princeton University. During his junior season, he was named the ECAC Player and Goalie of the Year, and was also a Top Ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award given to the nation's best collegiate hockey player.

TIE ONE ON: Coach Paul Gardner is almost never seen behind the bench without his trademark ties featuring Looney Tunes characters. A hockey-playing Daffy Duck was featured on the opening night tie. His daughter chooses the tie for most games.

For more information on Bloomington Blaze hockey, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, go to www.bloomingtonblaze.com or call the Blaze office at U.S. Cellular Coliseum at 309-434-2980.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2011


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