Dayton Gems Defeat Bloomington Prairie Thunder In Shootout 8-7

January 13, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Dayton Gems News Release


DAYTON, OH - The Dayton Gems took home ice against the Bloomington PrairieThunder at Hara Arena tonight. In a penalty-free 1st both teams began the evening in a defensive battle. With only 4:31 left Jon Ornelas put the Gems on the board with Pierce Norton and Mike Vaskivuo's help.

Dayton controlled the 2nd allowing Bloomington to tie the game and coming back to score twice before the period's close. At 14:22 it was Corey Couturier with Joe Van Culin and Matt Auffrey then at 16:39 Pierce Norton who found the net aided by Vaskivuo. Ending the period Gems 3 - Bloomington - 1.

Then came an unbelievable 3rd period. With less than 2 minutes off the clock Van Culin scored from Phil Youngclaus and only seconds later Bloomington found the net. Before 2 minutes passed Bloomington scored again. Dayton's Couturier scored 43 seconds later with assists from Auffrey and Youngclaus...43 more seconds and Norton has a solo goal. The crowd could hardly catch their breath Dayton 6 - Bloomington 3 with only 1/3 of the period played. Bloomington would take control and score 3 times in a row and tie up the game at 6 all. With only 3:10 left to play A.J. MacLean would put the Gems ahead only to have the PrairieThunder even it up to end the period.

Overtime had no goals so it was on to a shootout. Courtier, Norton and Tim Hartung would outshoot the PrairieThunder 3:2 and give the Gems another shootout victory for a final of 8 - 7 in Dayton's highest scoring game of the season. Gems record is now: 17 - 16 - 3 - 1 with 36 points.

Media is asked to save the date for GEMS MEDIA NIGHT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH!

The team hits the road to face the Port Huron Ice Hawks on Friday at 730pm. Saturday it's onto Muskegon to meet the Lumberjacks at 7pm. Gems fans can listen live with the B2 network at the Gems website; www.daytongems.net.

Next Wednesday, January 20th$1 Beer night when the Port Huron Icehawks land at Hara puck drops at 7pm,

January 19th have lunch with the Gems! Brixx on East 1st (across from 5th 3rd field) is the place to be. Join the players from 12 Noon to 1pm!

The team will also be attending the Toughman contest (as guests) on January 22 and 23rd at Hara. The winner of the contest will be invited to attend the Gems game on Sunday, January 24th when the Gems take on the Quad City Mallards for their first visit to Hara at 5pm.

All adult tickets only $10. Student and Childrens tickets $7. Groups are welcome and parking is free.

Join the Gems as they head into the second half of their first season.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 13, 2010


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