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Gems Battle Back to Win 3-2 Against Komets Friday Night

January 6, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Fort Wayne, IN - Dayton's Larry Sterling would lead his Gems to a hard fought win over the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night, turning aside 45 shots in the team's 3-2 victory. Charlie Townsend would score the eventual game winner to complete the Gems comeback in the second period. Jon Ornelas and Kyle Bochek scored the other goals for Dayton.

The Gems would rev their engines right off the opening faceoff, providing early pressure to Fort Wayne's starting netminder Nick Boucher. Taking a stretch pass from Tim Hartung on the breakout, Dayton's Jon Ornelas would bury a shortside backhander past Boucher to light the lamp and give the Gems an early 1-0 lead. Ornelas's goal, his 11th goal of the season came at 10:56 and was also assisted by Matt Baxter. While the Komets would earn offensive chances themselves as the period wore along, goaltender Larry Sterling would stand his ground through the horn to lead his Gems into the first intermission ahead 1-0. The Gems would also lead the Komets in shots on goal 15-11 after twenty minutes.

Fort Wayne would skate into the second period with a mission, and after stepping up their intensity against the Gems, they would light the lamp on both of their powerplays to capture the 2-1 lead at the 17:55 mark. Not giving up, Dayton would cash in on a loose puck scramble in front of Boucher, with Kyle Bochek bashing in the tying goal and silencing the hometown Komets crowd at the 18:32 mark.

With help from Larry Sterling's flawless peformance in the third period, the Gems would reclaim the lead with Ornelas feeding Charlie Townsend who broke to the net to bury his fifth goal of the season in what would become the game-winner at 6:52. Surviving Fort Wayne's late period surge, the Gems would claim the 3-2 win at the final horn. Shots on goal in the third again favored the Komets 13-7, with a sixty minute total of 47-29. Dayton finished the night 0-3 on the man advantage, while the Komets were perfect with the powerplay, going 2-2.

With the win, the Gems improve their record to 12-13-6 and pick up two points in the Turner Conference standings.

Both teams will return to action on Saturday on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena at 7pm for the Gems first annual "Salute to Beer League Hockey Night". The first 500 fans 18+ will receive a limited edition Gems pint glass, with the team wearing the long anticipated "camo" jerseys in honor of RUT Hockey.

Tickets are still available by calling the Gems ticket office at 275-7777 or by visiting www.DaytonGems.com .

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