Despite Comeback, Gems Fall to Mallards 3-2 In

December 31, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - Coming back to tie the game and force overtime, the Dayton Gems would ultimately fall 3-2 in a shootout to the Quad City Mallards on Cassano's Italian Ice inside the historic Hara Arena on Saturday night. Scoring for the Gems were Matt Larke and Matt Baxter.

In a penalty filled first period, the Gems would see the visiting Mallards take an early two goal lead into the first intermission while still struggling to find their legs through twenty minutes of play. Being outshot by the flock 17-11 in the first, Dayton would come alive in the middle period and begin chipping away at the deficit. Matt Larke lit the lamp at 5:06 of the second period to get the Gems on the board and trim the lead back down to one on the powerplay. Carrying the tempo in the middle stanza, Dayton's Matt Baxter would tie the game 2-2 with a goal past Mallards netminder Brad Fogal with 7:00 to go in the frame. Both teams would skate into the second intermission deadlocked at two, while the Gems outshot the Mallards 23-10 in the period.

After a scoreless third period, not even a five minute sudden-death overtime could break the 2-2 tie, eventually leading the matchup to the shootout. After five scoreless shooters aside, Quad City's John Snowden would find the back of the net to win the game for the visiting Mallards, completing the weekend sweep.

With the shootout loss, the Gems record falls to 11-13-6 while Dayton earns one point for their efforts in the Turner Conference standings. Quad City improves to 17-10-1.

Dayton returns to action for a home and home series against the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night inside the War Memorial Coliseum before concluding back home on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena on Saturday at 7pm.

Saturday night is "Salute to Beer League Hockey Night" with the Gems honoring San Antonio based RUT Hockey by wearing special "Camouflaged" jerseys on the ice, and offering fans $2 drafts and the first 500 fans 18+ will receive a limited edition Gems pint glass.

Tickets are on sale now at the Hara Arena box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Call the Gems ticket office at 275-7777 for more information and to order by phone.

The Kettering Medical Center is proud to be the official presenting sponsor of the Dayton Gems.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2011


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