Bloomington Blaze Weekly

Published on January 9, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


M*A*S*H REPORT: Current Blaze goal- and points-leader Jon Booras injured his hamstring at the end of the second period of Tuesday's 4-2 win over Fort Wayne, and was placed on the 30-day injured reserve list. He is expected to miss an extended period. Assist leader Brodie Sheahan continues to recover from a shoulder injury and is not expected to return to the Blaze lineup for at least another week. Defenseman Aaron Dawson sat out Saturday's contest after clashing heads with a teammate in Friday's game, but returned to the lineup on Sunday. Forward Luke Popko was injured in Sunday's contest at Evansville; his status is not yet known. Forward Jordy Trottier returned to the lineup on Saturday after coming off the 10-day injured reserve list due to illness, and forward Chris Ferazzoli was waived.

SEEING STARS: Defenseman Aaron Dawson has been named as a reserve to the Central Hockey League All-Star squad for the January 11 contest in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Dawson has seven goals with eight assists for 15 points, and he is tied for fourth in the league in goals by defensemen. He'll be joined in Arizona for the event by Blaze voice Greg Halbleib, who will call the action on CHL-TV with Tommy Daniels of Allen. Arizona Sundogs voice Brien Rea will provide the radio call.

FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, HE'S GOTTA WEAR OAKLEYS: Vladimir Nikiforov was named one of the Oakley Three Stars for December in the Central Hockey League. The Long Island, New York resident picked up the Number Three star after recording nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points during the month. Three of his goals were game-winners. Nikiforov leads all currently active Blaze players with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points.

FIRING UP: Vladimir Nikiforov has picked up a point in 17 of his 20 games with the Blaze, and is on a five-game point streak, the longest current Blaze streak...Booras and Nikiforov lead the Blaze with three game-winning goals...Mark Znutas is ninth in scoring among CHL defensemen, and his 15 assists ties him for fourth among blueliners and places him seventh among all rookies...Zane Kalemba is tied for the most saves in a single game this season (52), and turned in a 47-save effort in Tuesday's win over Fort Wayne. Ironically, Kalemba shares the single-game high with Mike Garman of Tulsa, who made his 52 saves against the Blaze. Both 52-save games were in losing efforts.

Group ticket packages and eight-game Pyro Packs are available for the remaining 15 home games. A complete schedule and more information about the Blaze are available at www.bloomingtonblaze.com. Like the Blaze on Facebook, follow on Twitter (BLMBlaze) or call the Blaze office at 309-434-2980.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2012


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