First-Period Goals Trip Blaze in Tulsa

Published on March 8, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


TULSA - The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, held the hosts scoreless and to only 10 shots over the final two periods but lost to the Tulsa Oilers for the first time this season by a 2-1 score on Friday at BOK Center.

The Oilers used their second power play in succession to open the scoring with 8:07 left in the opening period when Ryan Cramer corraled a bouncing puck point blank at the right side and scored top shelf with assists given to Sean Erickson and Ryan Menei. The Oilers increased the lead to 2-0 when Menei wristed a tally from the slot on the glove side that was redirected by Cramer and assisted by Jeff Buvinow with 3:02 left before the first intermission.

After a scoreless second period, the Blaze found the back of the net on a rebound goal by Matthew Larke from the right circle with 16:46 left in regulation, with assists given to Jon Booras and Leland Fidler. The Blaze emptied the net with just over a minute remaining but could not find the equalizer.

The Blaze were 0-for-2 on the power play while the Oilers were 1-for-3. Pier-Olivier Pelletier took the loss with 21 saves while Shane Madolora earned a 36-save win.

The Blaze take Saturday off and conclude the four-game road swing with a crucial contest on Sunday in Moline against the Quad City Mallards, who are battling the Blaze for a playoff spot. Face-off at iWireless Center is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. with pre-game on WJBC.com and CHL-TV at 3:45. Links to the online broadcasts can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, where additional team information is available as well as on Facebook and Twitter (BLMBlaze). The Blaze return home against the Mallards on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. on a Casey's 8 Gallons Night, in which fans who purchase eight gallons of gasoline at area Casey's General Stores receive a voucher which can be used to purchase a discounted $8 ticket for Tuesday's game. Vouchers can also be found on www.bloomingtonblaze.com. For game day and single-game tickets, visit the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office weekdays between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or call 309-434-2679. For information on the Blaze or Bloomington Edge indoor football, which begins its season on Friday, March 15 at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, call 309-TC SPORT (827-7678).

Junior Blaze split weekend: The Junior Blaze have clinched a Midwest Junior Hockey League playoff berth despite dropping a pair of games this weekend, losing Thursday 5-1 at Tennyson Chevrolet and dropping a Friday contest to the league-leading Hartland Hounds 4-3 in overtime. The Junior Blaze conclude the regular season against the Rhinelander Street Cats next Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. at U.S. Cellular Coliseum before the parent Blaze's home contests with the Denver Cutthroats. Admission to the Junior Blaze games is included in the Blaze ticket.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2013


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