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Dayton Gems Gameday - Gems Return Home to Host Allen Tonight at 7pm

February 17, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


The Dayton Gems return home to the cozy confines of the historic Hara Arena to host the Berry Conference's Allen Americans after a lengthy road trip to Tulsa and Texas.

The Gems conclude their inter-conference slate of games this week by hosting the Americans for the first time on Cassano's Italian Ice. Faceoff on Friday night is set for 7pm.

Gameday In Dayton

Dayton skates back into the Gem City after most recently slipping to a two game winless streak against Berry Conference foes, first with a 4-2 loss in Tulsa to the Oilers on Tuesday night and then 2-0 against the Brahmas in Texas Wednesday.

The Gems look to get back into the win column after tough losses to Tulsa Tueaday night and Texas on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Dayton's powerplay unit continued to improve statistically, with the Gems lighting the lamp on one man advantage against Tulsa, finishing 1 for 3. After a scoreless and thrilling end to end first period on Wednesday night against the Brahmas, the Gems would continue to rely on veteran netminder Larry Sterling throughout the middle stanza. As the period continued into the closing minutes, a scramble in front of Sterling would give Texas's Chad Woollard a clear rebound opportunity, as he would blast a snapshot into the net to break the scoring tie with just 1:53 left. The Gems would have the advantage of key powerplay chances in the third period, but would be unable to beat Texas netminder Mark Guggenberger through sixty minutes. The Gems best chance came in the final two minutes of regulation, on the powerplay and with the extra attacker, the effort would backfire to give the Brahmas a shorthanded empty netter with just four seconds remaining to seal the 2-0 final score.

Making their first-ever trip to the historic Hara Arena, Allen skates into their Friday matchup with the Gems also off the heels of a shutout loss (4-0) to Texas on Tuesday night. Carrying their second best record in the Berry Conference (27-12-8), and boast the second best powerplay in the CHL at 20.9%, and the fourth best penalty kill at 83.4%.

The Americans bring with them some familiar faces to Dayton hockey fans, including former ECHL Dayton Bombers Jarret Lukin, Rejean Beauchemin and Trevor Hendrikx as well as former Bombers head coach Bill McDonald and equipment manager Kacee Coberly.

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 .923.

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 broadcaster Tom Michaels handling the call.

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