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Dayton Gems Gameday - Gems Host Blaze Friday for First of Two Weekend Tilts

March 9, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems continue their three game week at home and begin their two game homestand with the Bloomington Blaze Friday night on Cassano's Italian Ice. Faceoff is set for 7pm. The two teams will rematch on Saturday night at 7pm inside Hara Arena for "Kids Eat Free" night.

The Gems look to extend their winning streak to three games after outlasting the first place Fort Wayne Komets 4-3 last Tuesday night in the Gems first action at home since picking up three points and a 5-2 win last Saturday night against the Sundogs on the team's Arizona weekend trip.

Gameday In Dayton

The Gems host the Blaze for the sixth time this season inside Hara Arena, while the Gems maintain a 6-3-1 record against Bloomington, including going 3-2-0 in the Gem City.

Most recently, the Gems have hosted the Blaze for the last three meetings, and squeaked out a nailbiting 3-2 shootout win back on February 18. Bloomington, who skates into Dayton in last place in the Turner Conference, trail the Gems by just 3 points and carry an overall record of 21-29-7. This two game weekend series holds an important four points for either team battling for position in the standings. The Blaze can also be the first team in the conference to be mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with a loss this weekend.

Despite their struggles on the powerplay this season, the Blaze continues to maintain a top penalty kill system, entering Friday night's contest with the second-best PK in the league at 85.2%.

Friday night, the Gems will give away carabiner keychains to the first 500 fans through the gates starting at 6pm.

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.

Sign of the Times - February 25 th 's win over the Sundogs opened with a unique performance of the National Anthem by Fairborn middle school students, who "signed" the anthem in sign language.

Git-R-Dunn - 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 and earned his first win during his first start on February 18 against the Blaze (3-2 Shootout win) and again won a 3-2 shootout against Arizona on February 25.

Stellar Sterling - veteran netminder Larry Sterling continues to battle near the top of the CHL stat chart, maintaining the league's fifth best save percentage of .923.

All Star Lutes - Brett Lutes represented the Gem City as the lone Gems player participating in the 2012 All Star Game. Luteswould 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 4, while leading the CHL's blueliners in Shootout Goals with 7.

Powerplay Master - Brandon Naurato is tied for third in the CHL for most powerplay goals with 10.

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