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Busy and Crucial Weekend Awaits Blaze

March 14, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, travel to Moline for a critical rematch before hosting home games on Saturday and Sunday as the playoff push continues into the next-to-last weekend of the regular season.

The Blaze take on the Quad City Mallards at iWireless Center at 7:05 p.m. Friday, then host the Denver Cutthroats on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 4:05 p.m. The Blaze are currently in ninth place in the Central Hockey League and are coming off of an 8-5 win over the Mallards on Tuesday in Bloomington. Quad City and Arizona remain tied for seventh place and currently hold the final two playoff positions, but with the Blaze win and Arizona's 2-1 loss at Allen on Tuesday, the Blaze are now six points behind those squads with seven games remaining ahead of Friday's Blaze-Mallards rematch.

The Blaze will see the return of forward Kyle Bochek to the lineup after serving a five-game league suspension, and forward Nicklas Lindberg and defenseman Aaron Dawson were activated from injured reserve before Tuesday's game. Friday's game is expected to be the first time the Blaze have placed a full roster on the ice since Jan. 19, a 22-game injury- and lineup-challenged period accounting for one-third of the season during which the Blaze were 6-16-0.

Jon Booras leads the Blaze with 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) and is second in scoring in the CHL. The veteran captain on Thursday was also named one of the five finalists for the CHL Man of the Year, given annually to the player who best exemplifies strong leadership on and off the ice while making significant humanitarian contributions to the community. Other finalists include David Simoes of Missouri, Scott Wray of Rapid City, Gary Steffes of Tulsa and Travis Wight of Wichita. The winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Saturday's activity-filled night includes youth Blaze jerseys given to the first 1,000 youngsters courtesy of Country Financial, and the Blaze will be wearing special jerseys on Disability Awareness Night that will be auctioned immediately after the game. Sunday's 4:05 p.m. game is also a Casey's 8 Gallons Day that features a discounted $8 ticket with a voucher from area Casey's General Stores for each eight-gallon fuel purchase. Vouchers can also be saved and printed from www.bloomingtonblaze.com. Fans are invited to skate with the Blaze after Sunday's game. The following Blaze home game on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. vs. Missouri will also be a Casey's 8 Gallons Night, and is the next-to-last home game ahead of the home finale on Saturday, March 23 against Quad City. The busy weekend at U.S. Cellular Coliseum begins on Friday night at 7:05 for the Bloomington Edge indoor football season opener against the Sioux City Bandits.

Also, the playoff-bound Junior Blaze conclude their regular season with their final two home games on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. before the Blaze CHL contests. Admission to the Junior Blaze games is included in the Blaze ticket.

For more information and group discounts on Bloomington Blaze hockey and Bloomington Edge indoor football, call 309-TC SPORT (827-7678). Blaze updates and team information can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMBlaze). For single-game and game day tickets, visit the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office weekdays between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or before games and events, or call 309-434-2679.

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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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