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Five Days Rest Much Needed for Dayton Gems

January 3, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


DAYTON, OH - The Dayton Gems rounded out a busy - and somewhat cruel - week of play on January 1, 2011.

The week was busy for the Gems as they played six games in seven days - their busiest stretch of the regular season - and ended with a 3-3 record over that time frame. The week ended on a cruel note on Saturday, January 1. The Gems had a chance at recording a winning record over the six game period, but let a 3-0 lead against Fort Wayne slip away and lost 4-3 in a shootout.

With the .500 record, the Gems were able to maintain their fifth place standing in the Turner Conference. Dayton (16-12-2) trails Bloomington (17-10-1) and Colorado (17-10-2). Rapid City (17-11-4) is leading the Turner Conference with 38 points.

Dayton will now take some time off before heading back on the ice. Their next game is at Bloomington, as the Gems take on the PrairieThunder at 8:05 p.m. on Friday, January 7.

On Saturday, January 8, the Gems return to Hara Arena in Dayton where they will take on the Fort Wayne Komets at 7:30 p.m.

Jakaitis is an All-Star - Gems' goaltender Jeff Jakaitis was named to the CHL All-Star game roster on Wednesday, Dec. 29.

This season, Jakaitis has recorded 804 saves and has spent 1,447 minutes in front of the net en-route to amassing a record of 12-10-2.

Prior to being named to the All-Star team, Jakaitis' high point this season came in a 4-0 win over Bloomington on Friday, Dec. 17. In that game, Jakaitis stopped all 44 shots that came his way and recorded the Gems' only shutout this season. He had another stellar performance the following night against Fort Wayne. The nine-year veteran recorded 32 saves to give the Gems a 3-2 win over the Komets.

Jakaitis was later named the CHL Goalie of Week for Dec. 13 - Dec. 19 because of his performance against both Bloomington and Fort Wayne. In the two games, Jakaitis stopped 76 of 78 shots that came his way.

Wright Patterson Air Force Base Night - On Saturday, January 8, military members from Wright Patterson Air Force Base will be conducting a number of events at the Dayton Gems' game against Fort Wayne. Some of the activities include singing the National Anthem and a ceremonial puck drop that will be conducted by Colonel Amanda W. Gladney. Fans can also witness DEPers being sworn in as official members of the Air Force.

After the game, all fans are encouraged to participate in the paper airplane toss for troops overseas. Fans in attendance can write letters to troop members, thanking them for their duty, and fly the letters onto the ice at the conclusion of the game. All letters will be collected and sent to troops around the world.

Players will also play an important role during the night as well. During the game, players will also be wearing special Air Force camouflage jerseys. At the conclusion of the game, all jerseys will be auctioned off and each player will sign their jersey before presenting it to the highest bidder.

Off the Ice - Although the action on the ice will slow down this week, Dayton Gems players will still be busy with a number of events taking place off the ice this week.

On Monday, January 3, Tim Hartung and Corey Couturier will be at f.y.e. in the Dayton Mall handing out flyers and schedules to mall shoppers.

On Tuesday, the entire Dayton Gems roster will visit Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

The Gems are scheduled to tour Wright Patterson Air Force Base on Tuesday, January 4. The tour is set to begin at 12:30, starting at the Hope Hotel. Throughout the afternoon players, coaches and staff will be visiting the base Fire Departments and the OPS, weather, and control tower.

At the conclusion of the tour, three players will sign autographs for an hour at Kittyhawk starting at 3:30 p.m.

This will be the second year the Gems have visited the base.

Finally, four players will wrap-up the week of appearances for the Gems by visiting the Dayton Children's Hospital on Wednesday, January 5. Players will interact and visit with children during their time at the hospital and handout teddy bears that were collected at the Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 4.

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

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