Dayton Gems: Weekend Preview

January 14, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


The Dayton Gems will try to break a three-game losing streak against Bloomington on Friday and head on the road to Quad City on Saturday. On Monday, the Gems will wrap-up the holiday weekend with a game against Missouri at 3 p.m.

The action on Friday will start at 7:30 p.m. at Hara Arena. After playing Quad City on the road Saturday, the Gems will play at home again on Monday at 3 p.m.

The game will be the last home contest for the Gems until January 28.

Scouting Report

Bloomington

The last time Dayton played the PrairieThunder, the Gems lost 3-2 in overtime. After giving up two goals in the opening period, the Gems didn't allow Bloomington to score for the remainder of regulation. Jon Booras broke the scoreless streak for the PrairieThunder with a goal in the overtime.

Booras has been a thorn in the side of the Gems this season. In three of the last four meetings, Booras has recorded at least one point. All three of those games were Bloomington wins.

On the bright side, the Gems have been successful against the PrairieThunder in the past. On Dec. 17, Dayton defeated Bloomington 4-0. It is Dayton's only shutout of the season.

Quad City

It's been a while since Dayton has faced-off against Quad City. The last time these two teams met was on November 21 in Quad City.

The Gems are hopeful that time will change their luck against the Mallards. In the last meeting between these two teams, Quad City defeated the Gems 6-4. The Mallards were able to score two goals in each period to claim the win.

The six goals are the second most the Gems have allowed this season.

It will be a tough task for the Gems to win over the high-flying Mallards on Saturday night. Heading into Friday, they have won five of their last six games. The key for the Gems will be shutting down Joel Gasper.

Gasper has recorded a goal in each of Quad City's last three wins.

Missouri

Monday will be the first time this season the Gems play Missouri. The two teams will play each other two more times in the final month of the season.

Missouri snapped a three game losing streak on Saturday with a 3-2 win over Tulsa.

Despite the recent struggles, scoring has not been a struggling point for the Mavs this season. Missouri has not been shutout this season. On top of that, the Mavs have scored three goals or more in three of the last four games.

Events

On Friday, January 14, area mascots from local sports teams will attend the Dayton Gems' game against Bloomington to celebrate the birthday of Blade, the Dayton Gems' mascot.

Mascots from around the Miami Valley will roam the stands of Hara Arena throughout the game to take pictures and mingle with children and fans. During the first intermission, all mascots will head to the ice and entertain fans with a game of dodge ball.

Kendall Marketing Solutions, the official sponsor for the evening, will be providing root-n-toot horns to the first 300 fans in attendance. Carrie Kendall, President of Kendall Marketing Solutions, will be dropping the ceremonial first puck prior to the start of the game.

Frosted will be baking 400 cupcakes for the occasion.

In addition to the birthday celebration, Friday will also be the third trading card giveaway of the season. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free pack of trading cards, featuring Matt McCue, Erik Boisvert, Nick Canzanello, Matthew Larke and Jeff Jakaitis of the Dayton Gems. Players will then be available for autographs after the game.

Monday, January 17, will be Kids Day with the Gems. Kids 12 and under will be admitted to the game for free with a paid adult.

The five dollar parking fee for the event will also be waived. This means an adult and one child can watch a professional hockey game for just $12.

All Government employees will be able to purchase two tickets for the price of one by showing their Government employee ID at the box office.

The day will feature a number of events for kids to enjoy as the Gems take on Missouri at 3 p.m. at Hara Arena. Events for kids will begin as soon as the gates open at 2 p.m.

Headlining the children's entertainment will be Lucky the Clown, who will make balloon animals for anyone in attendance.

Kids will be able to have their faces painted and create their own posters to display during the game. A cornhole set will also be setup for the kids. Kids will also be able to take shots at a real hockey goal. All of the events will be free for children and will take place in Court 1 of Hara Arena, which is right next to the main concourse in the arena.

All of these events are free with admission to the game.

While all of these events take place, kids can enjoy their favorite music over the loud speakers. Songs from Sponge Bob Square Pants, Hannah Montana, and Big Time Rush will be played throughout the game so children to sing along.

After the game, fans will be able to meet with some of the Dayton Gems players at Buffalo Wild Wings in Englewood.

The Kettering Medical Center is proud to be the official title sponsor of the Gems for the 2010-11 season.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central