Sports stats

Gems Can't Comeback Against Blaze, Fall 5-3 Friday Night

December 16, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Bloomington, Ill - Four unanswered goals by the Bloomington Blaze would prove too difficult to bounce back, despite a valiant three goal effort in the third period when the Dayton Gems ultimately fell 5-3 inside the US Cellular Coliseum on Friday night. Scoring for the Gems were Brandon Naurato, Damian Surma and Nick Fanto.

Looking to extend their home ice winning streak to five, the Blaze shot right out of the gates to begin the three game weekend series against the Gems. It would take the home team 10:37 to find a way to beat Gems starting netminder Bryan Hogan, taking an early 1-0 lead before Bloomington's Brodie Sheahan lit the lamp again for his second of the night a little more than two minutes later at 12:55 to lead his team into the first intermission ahead 2-0.

Another two goal performance would mark the second period, again with the Blaze scoring back to back within the first seven minutes of the middle frame. Capitalizing on their powerplay at the 4:25 mark, the Blaze snapped a shot past Hogan to make it 3-0 and an unassisted lamplighter at the 6:47 mark would extend the lead to four, all while signaling the end of Hogan's night between the pipes as Gems head coach Brian Gratz made the goalie switch to place Larry Sterling in relief. Both teams would skate the remainder of the period scoreless, with the Blaze holding on to their 4-0 lead at the break.

Looking to mount their comeback in the third, Dayton's Brandon Naurato would lead the charge off a pass from Ryan Hohl just 1:32 in to break the scoring seal, and inch the Gems closer on the scoreboard. With a noticeable increase in intensity, Dayton's leading scorer Damian Surma would cash in on a centering feed from linemates Charlie Townsend and Brett Lutes to cut the Blaze lead down to two at 5:02. Sterling would keep the Gems in the game as time wore along in the final period of regulation, and it was the breakout by defenseman Chad Langlais who set up Jon Ornelas to feed a breaking Nick Fanto to blast in the Gems third goal of the night at the 16:29 mark making it a one goal game in the closing minutes. With the clock ticking down and Sterling pulled for the extra attacker in hopes of tying the game, the Gems would watch helplessly as the Blaze secured their win with a late minute empty net goal with just :20 left to cement the 5-3 loss for Dayton. Final shots on goal favored Bloomington 41 to 24.

With the loss, the Gems drop their record to 8-10-4 for 20 points and sixth place in the Turner Conference.

Both teams will rematch in Bloomington at 8pm eastern on Saturday night before concluding the weekend series against the Blaze with a Sunday afternoon matinee on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena at 4pm. Tickets are still available by calling the Gems at 275-7777 or visiting daytongems.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Dayton Gems Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central