Dayton Gems Gameday - Gems Celebrate Faith & Family Night Tonight

February 18, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems return to action on Saturday night when they host conference rival Bloomington Blaze on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena. Faceoff is set for 7pm.

Dayton skates into battle with the Blaze after most recently suffering a 2-1 shootout loss to the Allen Americans on Friday night at home after giving up a second period lead. David Nimmo scored the Gems lone regulation goal on a breakaway in the middle stanza before the Americans bounced back in the third to send the game into extra frames. After a scoreless sudden death overtime period, the Americans secured the win with two shootout goals over the Gems one.

Gameday In Dayton

Tonight marks the 10th meeting this season with the Blaze, with the Gems 5-3-1 against Bloomington this season. The Blaze have won two of the last three games against the Gems inside Hara Arena and are 2-2-0 on Cassano's Italian Ice.

Bloomington skates into the Gem City hot off a brawling 5-4 win over Fort Wayne on Friday night. With the win over the Komets, the Blaze now sit just one point behind the Gems in the Turner Conference standings. With a win tonight over Dayton, the Blaze could jump out of last place for the first time since October.

Saturday night is "Faith & Family Night" in Dayton, with the first 500 fans receiving a limited edition Blade weeble wobble toy. Additionally, former NFL star and current Central State football coach E.J. Junior will present a special faith-based talk to fans at 6:10pm inside the Hara Conference Center. Fans are invited to stay after the game for a live postgame concert by Christian blues rockers Reece Lincoln Band inside the Lefty's Lounge.

Dayton Gems Game Notes

Jammed It for Jimmy - The Gems thawed the IceMen 4-3 in front of a season high crowd of 5,187 inside Hara Arena on Saturday, January 28. Portions of the ticket proceeds went to local teen cancer patient Jimmy Jenks, who dropped the ceremonial first puck.

Larry Saves - netminder Larry Sterling continues to stalk the top of the CHL's stat chart, maintaining a fourth best save percentage of .925.

Dunn It Right - Dayton's newly acquired netminder Dan Dunn is the fifth netminder this regular season to don a Gems sweater. Most recently a member of the Allen Americans, he was acquired as off waivers.

All Star Lutes - Brett Lutes represented the Gem City as the lone Gems player participating in the 2012 All Star Game. Lutes would earn two assists and a +5 rating to help his CHL All Star team beat the CHL's Arizona Sundogs 6-4.

The Closer - Dayton's Tim Hartung sits tied for most Game Winning Goals by a defenseman with 3, while leading the CHL's blueliners in Shootout Goals with 4.

Powerplay Master - Brandon Naurato is locked in a three way tie for most powerplay goals with 10.

Tune Into The Game Live!

Friday's game against Allen is carried live on the Dayton Gems Hockey Network, and can be found at wave96.net or CHL TV starting at 7pm eastern with Gems broadcasters Tom Michaels and Kevin O'Boyle handling the call.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2012


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