Gems drop 5-3 decision to Wichita

January 28, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release

NBA Legend A.C. Green was in attendance for the Dayton Gems game against Wichita on Friday, Jan. 28.

Prior to the game, Green gave a speech about his NBA career and discussed the importance of never giving up in life.

The Gems were almost the perfect model for his speech.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Dayton scored three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 advantage. But Wichita scored three goals in the third period - two by AJ Gale - giving the Thunder the 5-3 win.

The Thunder made their way on the scoreboard twice before the Gems were able to record a goal. AJ Gale scored a shorthanded goal and Jesse Bennefield recorded an unassisted goal to give Wichita a 2-0 lead halfway through the first period.

With less than five minutes remaining in the opening period, Dayton's Brett Lutes scored a powerplay goal to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Gems took over in the second period. Matthew Larke tied the game at 2-2 with a goal at the 8:38 mark. With 3:34 remaining in the period, Kyle Bochek was able to give Dayton its first lead of the game. Greg Labenski was credited with an assist on the play that put the Gems ahead 3-2.

Dayton was able to hold the lead into the third period, but Aaron Davis of the Thunder tied the game at 3-3 with his 15th goal of the season.

Wichita was then able to regain the lead late in the third period. With 3:25 remaining in the game, Gale scored his second goal of the game to give the Thunder a 4-3 advantage.

Gale then recorded a hat trick with an empty net goal with just three seconds remaining in the game.

Dayton will now head on the road for a game against Evansville at 8:35 p.m.

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

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Gems drop 5-3 decision to Wichita

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