First Place Blaze Too Hot For Evansville
November 15, 2009 - All American Hockey League (AAHL)
Chicago Blaze News Release
The first place Chicago Blaze earned their 14th point in eight games and extended their lead on second place Evansville to five points with a 5-1 victory Saturday night. The Blaze who built from the net out this off-season, saw that plan pay off tonight as goalie Adam Dekker made 33 saves in front of strong defensive play; and center Pat Lee added to his league leading point total with a goal and an assist.
The first period saw the Blaze get out played by the host Icemen as they were out-shot 13-4. Ryan Ford set up Aaron Naphan to give Evansville a 1-0 lead at the 4:04 mark of the first, however Dekker's stellar play prevented the Icemen from adding on despite the ice seemingly being slanted in their favor. Then with four seconds remaining on Geverd Evn's interference penalty Nigel Hawryliw netted the Blaze first of the night with a helper from Tony Giacalone. The goal allowed the Blaze to escape the period tied.
The Blaze came out strong in the second period as Hawryliw returned the favor by setting up his line mate Kyle Thompson for the Blaze second power play goal at the 5:24 mark. Chicago continued their trend of scoring add-on goals quickly when T.J. Schneider netted his first of the night just 51 seconds later to put the Blaze up 3-1. Schneider would add another second period goal but not before Pat Lee scored eighth of the season giving him 17 points on the year (8,9).
With a 5-1 lead entering play in the third the Blaze went into a defensive shell. Content to play back and depend on strong play in their own end, the Blaze held Evansville to 10 shots, their lowest total of the three periods. Dekker stopped them all and none seemed a serious threat to the Blaze net. The Icemen's frustration boiled over as the horn sounded and several players including Ford wanted to drop the gloves with the Blaze. The Blaze however were content to leave the Swonder Ice Arena with 2 points and without incident.
Notes: Pat Doyle assisted on each of the last 3 Blaze goals. Adam Dekker has the league's best save percentage at .912. The Blaze showed good discipline tonight not taking any penalties after the half way point of the second period. The Blaze have a three game home stand next weekend starting Friday at 7:25 against the Chi-Town Shooters. Saturday's game is at 7 P.M. against the Detroit Hitmen, and Sunday features a 2 P.M. matinee against the Battle Creek Revolution. Tickets for these and all home games are available on the Blaze web-site or at the West Meadow's box office.
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All American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2009
- Ice Muskies Fall To Shooters 7-3 To End Road Trip - Madison Ice Muskies
- First Place Blaze Too Hot For Evansville - Chicago Blaze
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