Bloomington Blaze Weekly

December 5, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Friday, December 9, 7:05 p.m.- vs. Fort Wayne Komets, U.S. Cellular Coliseum (Pepsi Date Night)

Saturday, December 10, 7:05 p.m.- vs. Tulsa Oilers, U.S. Cellular Coliseum (Teddy Bear Toss)

Sunday, December 11, 5 p.m.- at Evansville IceMen, Ford Center

The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, play three games in three days this weekend, beginning with two on home ice.

LAST WEEK: The Blaze grabbed two of the six available points, beginning with a 6-2 win on Thursday at home against the Evansville IceMen, in which the Blaze scored in the game's first minute on a Jon Booras drive to the net and never trailed. Vladimir Nikiforov scored a hat trick in his second game with the Blaze, with all three goals tallied during the second period, including two unassisted goals off IceMen turnovers. Brodie Sheahan and Luke Popko also scored for Bloomington, and Nikiforov added an assist on Booras' goal. Nikiforov added to his scoring onslaught with two goals on Friday night, including the game's first goal, but it wasn't enough as an understaffed Blaze gave up four second period goals in a 7-3 loss at Tulsa. Jon Booras registered the other tally for Bloomington. On Sunday, the Blaze's first visit to the new Ford Center in Evansville turned into revenge for the host IceMen, as the Blaze gave up three first-period goals but held the hosts scoreless for the final 42:55 although Evansville picked up a 3-2 win. The CHL's leading scorer, Todd Robinson, registered a goal and an assist for the IceMen, while the Blaze received goals from Jason Dale and Luke Popko. Dale's goal was unassisted, while he and Omar Pacha assisted on Popko's goal.

THIS WEEKEND: The Blaze host the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night in the second meeting of the season after losing the only other matchup on Thanksgiving night in Fort Wayne. Friday is Pepsi Date Night, and fans who buy a ticket while presenting a Pepsi product will receive a second ticket free, and with the purchase of a combo meal, a second of equal or lesser value is free. On Saturday, the Blaze attempt to avenge a 7-3 loss last week to the Tulsa Oilers. Saturday's fans are asked to bring a new stuffed animal for the annual Teddy Bear Toss, in which the new stuffed companions will be thrown onto the ice after the first Blaze goal to donate to Toys for Tots.

PERSONNEL MOVES: The Blaze have acquired forward Vladimir Nikiforov, a 24-year-old resident of Hauppage, New York who is in his fourth professional season, most of which has been spent in the ECHL. Nikiforov has already collected seven points (five goals, two assists). Nikiforov was born in Lithuania, but moved to Long Island at age seven. Forwards Brodie Sheahan and Luke Popko returned from minor injuries for the week's action, and forward Marc Rechlicz and defensemen Greg Moore remain on injured reserve lists. On Thursday, the Blaze waived forward Mike Zbriger and announced the retirement of goalie Marco Emond, who was in his 14th professional season and his second in Bloomington. Emond was part of CHL championship teams in Laredo, Colorado and Arizona. Also, forwards Karl Fournier and Matt Whitehead have left the team and been placed on the suspended list. Backup goalie Rob Mattison was signed for the past weekend; he played in the All-American Hockey League during the past two seasons. On Sunday, the Blaze signed forwards Jerry Pollastrone and Jordy Trottier. Pollastrone is a 5'10", 190-pound left-handed shot recently released from the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL, where he scored two goals and three assists with a plus-one rating in 13 games. The Revere, Massachusetts native is in his third professional season, all of which has been spent in the ECHL. Trottier is the nephew of former NHL player Bryan Trottier. He is 5'11" and 180 pounds and a native of Bozeman, Montana. He made his professional debut after three seasons in the NAHL and two seasons at Bentley University.

FLICKERS: Jon Booras and Brodie Sheahan remain tied for the Blaze scoring lead with 16 points, while Booras and Kyle Laughlin lead the team with six goals each...Zane Kalemba has the most saves in a single game in the CHL so far this season with 52...the Blaze are now 3-0-1 when leading after two periods...Aaron Dawson is tied for third in the CHL for most goals by a defenseman (5)...Mark Znutas is tied for fourth in scoring among defensemen, and his 12 points puts him tied for seventh in scoring among CHL rookies; he is fifth among rookies in assists with 9...Craig Cescon is sixth with 46 penalty minutes.

MEET THE BLAZE: Blaze players are scheduled to visit Washington Elementary School in Bloomington to start the week on Monday at 2:40 p.m., and visit the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce event from 5 till 7 p.m. on Monday at Bernardi's II in downtown Pontiac.

DA COACH: Paul Gardner has coached in the NHL as an assistant under Barry Trotz with the Nashville Predators, and was an AHL head coach with the Newmarket Saints for four seasons. He played in the NHL for all or part of ten seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres. He led the AHL in scoring in 1985 and 1986. His father Cal and older brother Dave also starred in the NHL. From 2007 to 2009, Gardner was the head coach of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, the Russian team devastated by a plane crash at the beginning of this season. Gardner is always seen behind the bench wearing a Looney Tunes tie, which is usually selected by his daughter.

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



Central Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2011


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