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Dayton Gems Gameday - Gems Finish Weekend with Komets Sunday

January 8, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Gems Game #33, Road Game #18 - Team Record 12-14-6, 30pts, 6th in Turner Conference

Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems conclude their 3-in-3 weekend series with the Fort Wayne Komets with a 5pm matinee inside the War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana Sunday.

Sunday's game with the Komets is the midway point of the regular season for the Gems, as they will return to action next weekend after the 2012 CHL All Star Game this Wednesday. Dayton's Brett Lutes will represent the Gem City in Prescott Valley, Arizona as a member of the All Star Team.

The Gems (12-14-6) are 1-1-0 this weekend, as the Komets answered Dayton's 3-2 Friday night win with a 4-2 decision on Cassano's Italian Ice at Hara Arena Saturday night, Fort Wayne's fifth win this season against the Gems.

Gameday In Fort Wayne

The Fort Wayne Komets (21-9-1) have become the fourth different team (joining Allen, Evansville and Wichita) to lay claim to the #1 spot on the CHL Coaches Poll. Fort Wayne earned eight first place votes followed by Wichita with five and Allen with three. The top five teams on the most recent poll are the Komets, Thunder, Americans, Mallards and Rush.

The Komets are 5-2 so far this season versus the Gems.The Komets skate into Sunday's matchup boasting the CHL's best powerplay, scoring on 25.7% of their chances this season, and will utilize their fifth-best penalty kill to full advantage again tonight. Fort Wayne scored their two goals against the Gems on Friday on their only two powerplay chances, while going 1 for 6 on the man advantage Saturday night.

Gems Game Notes

Scorin' Surma - Dayton's Damian Surma continues to the lead the Gems in goals scored with 18, and is second in the CHL for goals, just three behind league leader Brandon Marino of the Quad City Mallards.

Powerplay Master - Brandon Naurato remains tied for the top spot as the CHL's leader in powerplay goals with 8 in his 30 games played.

Komet Klobberer -Gems netminder Larry Sterling made a season high 45 saves between the pipes to propel his club to the victory over the Komets on Friday night. His 42 saves on Saturday night give him a combined 87 saves this weekend against the Komets.

Tune Into Tonight's Game!

Catch all the action live onwave96.net and CHL TV starting at 4:50pm (eastern) with Gems broadcaster JT Szabo handling the call. Fans can also tune into the Internet radio broadcast anywhere in the world with Internet connection and on the go through their smartphone.

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