Bloomington Blaze Weekly

Published on November 27, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Thursday, December 1, 7:05 p.m.- vs, Evansville IceMen, U.S. Cellular Coliseum

Friday, December 2, 7:35 p.m.- at Tulsa Oilers, BOK Center

Sunday, December 4, 5 p.m.- at Evansville IceMen, Ford Center

The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, head into another three-game week after capturing a victory over the then-Central Hockey League leaders on Saturday.

LAST TIME OUT: The Blaze ended a 12-game winless streak in dramatic fashion, scoring three goals in 3:32 late in the third period to defeat the Allen Americans 4-3 on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Kyle Laughlin, Mike Zbriger, Mark Znutas and Jon Booras all scored for the Blaze, with the game-winner by Booras coming with just 2:00 left in the game. On Friday, the Dayton Gems broke open a close game with three goals late in the third period to defeat the Blaze 6-2. Bloomington tallies were scored by Jason Dale and Aaron Dawson.

NEXT TIME OUT: The Blaze (2-10-2) play their only home game of the week on the season's first Thirsty Thursday, a 7:05 p.m. face-off against the Evansville IceMen. Fans can enjoy $2 beers and Pepsi products. Evansville leads the Turner Conference of the Central Hockey League with a 9-3-1 record, good for 19 points. The Blaze then make their quickest turnaround of the season, hitting the road for a stop in Tulsa (9-6-2, 3rd Berry Conference) on Friday night in the first meeting of the season between the squads. Bloomington has a rematch with Evansville on Sunday in the first trip to the IceMen's brand new home, the Ford Center. The Blaze lost the only other contest against Evansville 4-1 on November 4, with Kyle Laughlin recording the only Bloomington goal.

PERSONNEL MOVES: The Blaze have acquired forward Vladimir Nikiforov, a 24-year-old native of Hauppage, New York who is in his fourth professional season, most of which has been spent in the ECHL. Forwards Brodie Sheahan and Luke Popko are questionable for the week's action, and forward Marc Rechlicz is due to come off the 10-day injured reserve list although his status for the week has not been determined.

FLICKERS: Jon Booras has tied Brodie Sheahan for the Blaze scoring lead with 13 points (four goals, nine assists)...Zane Kalemba has the most saves in a single game in the CHL so far this season with 52...the Blaze are now 2-0-1 when leading after two periods...Aaron Dawson is tied with two others for most goals by a defenseman (6), with three of the tallies coming on the power play, also tying him for the league lead among blueliners...Mark Znutas is tied for ninth in defensemen scoring with 10 points...Craig Cescon is fourth with 46 penalty minutes.

HOLIDAY BLAZE: The tree entered by the Blaze in the recent Festival of Trees to benefit the Baby Fold won Outstanding Celebrity Tree...Blaze players will be making several appearances during the holiday season, beginning with a stop at Casey's General Store in Hudson at 6:30...the Blaze will also make stops at the Jaycees Christmas Parade in Bloomington this Saturday morning, the Toys for Tots bowling event at Pheasant Lanes in Bloomington on Saturday from noon till 4 p.m., and the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce event at Bernardi's on Monday, December 5 from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m.

WATCHING THE BLAZE: Fans are invited to watch every Blaze road game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant at 3002 Gill Street, west of Airport Road in Bloomington.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2011


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