Comeback Attempt Falls Just Short for Gems

Published on December 3, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Evansville, IN- The Gems traveled to Evansville, Indiana tonight to take on the Evansville IceMen for game number two of the weekend home-in-home series between the two teams. This would be the sixth time already this season that the two would face-off and the third of which transpired at Swonder Ice Arena. How would act two play out after the Gems stole one last night by coming from behind, down by two goals to start the third period and forcing overtime to win it 4-3? Let's find out as we head out to Swonder Ice Arena for tonight's game summary.

Almost instant d=C3(c)j=C3 vu took place for the Gems to start the first period when defenseman Nathan Schwartzbauer attempted to pass the puck back towards goaltender Jeff Jakaitis who wasn't ready for it and the IceMen had a quick 1-0 lead. Ernie Stewart would tie the game at 1-1 at the 8:03 mark when he drove the net down the left-wing side of the IceMen zone and banked it in off of Evansville starter Matt Lundin. The IceMen quickly took over the lead again with not one but two goals that came 21 seconds apart. The first was right off a clean face-off win that saw Mark Cody deposit one from the blue line, and the second came off the stick of Brian Bicek at the 9:11 mark. The Gems were outshot 15-8 in the period and 12-2 within the first 10 minutes of the hockey game. For the second consecutive night the Gems had to play from behind after 20 minutes of play.

The second period was much more subdued for both teams from an offensive standpoint but the physicality picked up and so did the penalty calls. The Gems received three power plays in the second, including a 5-on-3 that they could not convert on and the IceMen were given two man-advantages. Within seconds of the Gems killing off the second IceMen power play of the period, Mike Vaskivuo cut the lead down to 3-2 when he completed a sharply executed 3-on-2 odd man rush at the 10:35 mark. Each team had nine shots on goal in the middle frame and the once again Dayton was forced to try to come from behind for the win.

Unfortunately for the Gems another comeback would not be in the cards on this night and the IceMen held on for the 3-2 home victory snapping their four-game losing streak and also ending the Gems two-game winning streak. The loss evens the series with IceMen now at 3-3 and also evens out the Gems road record at 3-3 as well. The Gems are now 10-6-1 overall on the season. The two teams will not play again until Tuesday, December 28th when Evansville returns to Hara Arena for the fourth time this season at 7:00.

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