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Bloomington Blaze Weekly

January 30, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, play an unusual schedule this week, with a Monday home contest, an open Friday and a Saturday trip to their nearest rival.

LAST WEEK:

Friday, January 27- Evansville 5, Bloomington 2

Saturday, January 28- Bloomington 4, Rapid City 2

The Blaze moved to 4-3-0 in the second half of the Central Hockey League season by splitting a pair of contests. Evansville beat the Blaze 5-2 on Friday for the seventh straight home win for the first-place IceMen. The Blaze tied the contest in the first period on their fourth short-handed goal of the season, when Travis Granbois was set up by a Jason Dale break-up of a power play cycle, but the IceMen scored on that power play only 37 seconds later and never trailed. Craig Cescon picked up the other Blaze goal. On Saturday, the Blaze entertained their largest home crowd of the season (3,785) by battling to a 4-2 win over the Rapid City Rush behind lamp-lighters from defensemen Mark Znutas and Doug Krantz, Kyle Laughlin's third game-winning goal and Luke Popko's empty net tally to complete his three-point night.

THIS WEEK:

Monday, January 30, 7:05 p.m.- Rapid City Rush at Bloomington Blaze, U.S. Cellular Coliseum

(When buying tickets for tonight's game, get same number of tickets for February 7 game for just $1 each!)

Saturday, February 4, 7:05 p.m.- Bloomington Blaze at Quad City Mallards, iWireless Center

(Watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street, Bloomington!)

M*A*S*H REPORT: Despite returning for three games after missing ten contests due to shoulder problems, Brodie Sheahan is not expected to be in the Blaze lineup to start the week due to that shoulder. Current Blaze goal- and points-leader Jon Booras remains on the 30-day injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury, and is making good progress in his rehabilitation. No timetable has been established for his return.

FLAME-THROWING: Vladimir Nikiforov is the active Blaze scoring leader with 30 points; he is tied for the team assist lead with Jason Dale with 18 helpers...Kyle Laughlin is now tied for the team lead with the injured Jon Booras with 15 goals, and three of his last four scores have been game-winners...Luke Popko has turned his offense up in the last five games, leading the team with four goals and two assists...Jordy Trottier has also been one of the team leaders during the last five games with two goals and three assists...Aaron Dawson is tied for eighth among CHL defensemen with seven goals...Jason Dale is the only Blaze skater to play in all 40 games so far this season.

Group ticket packages and eight-game Pyro Packs are available for the remaining 13 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. All games can be heard at WJBC.com and viewed on CHL-TV.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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