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Gems End Bloomington's Home Ice Streak with 4-2 Win

December 18, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Bloomington, ILL - The Dayton Gems snapped their season high winless streak and ended the Bloomington Blaze's impressive five game winning streak on home ice with a hard fought 4-2 victory inside the US Cellular Coliseum on Saturday night. Scoring for the Gems were Damian Surma, Jon Ornelas and Brandon Naurato (2). Box Score Available Here

After letting the Blaze on the scoreboard first just 6:14 into the opening period, Dayton's leading goal scorer Damian Surma would notch his fourtheenth goal of the season to tie the game a little more than a minute later at 7:37. Surma's goal would be snapped past Blaze starting netminder Zane Kalemba while the Gems were shorthanded, and would be unassisted. Dayton would take their first lead of the night about seven minutes later, this time an even strength goal by former Michigan Wolverine Brandon Naurato assisted off a pass from Tim Hartung at 14:00. But in a true back and forth fashion, the Blaze's Jon Booras would tie the game on a shot past Gems goaltender Larry Sterling less than a minute later to send both teams into the first intermission tied 2-2, while both clubs would be deadlocked in shots on goal 10-10 after twenty minutes.

Dayton would come out flying in the middle frame, and would capitalize on a chance in front of Kalemba at the 6:16 mark when Naurato would light the lamp for his second goal of the night and league leading seventh powerplay goal of the season in what would become the eventual game winner, assisted by Surma. Dayton would muster one more goal on the powerplay in the period at13:25, this time off the stick of Jon Ornelas to secure the 4-2 lead after forty minutes with the Blaze edging the Gems in shots 15-10 in the second period.

Neither team would find the back of the net in the final period of regulation, while Sterling held his ice against the Blaze turning away all 15 shots sent his direction in the third to secure the 4-2 win for Dayton. Final shots on goal favored the Blaze 40 to 31 while Dayton went 2 for 6 on the powerplay and Bloomington went 1 for 6 in regulation.

With the win, Dayton improves their record to 9-10-4 for 22 points in the Turner Conference standings while snapping their season high five game winless streak dating back to December 2. With the loss, Bloomington sees their impressive five game home ice winning streak end, while both teams travel back to Dayton for Sunday's matinee conclusion to the three game weekend series with faceoff set for 4pm.

Tickets to Sunday's game on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena are still available at the Hara box office or by calling 275-7777. Fans are encouraged to bring a donation to the Marine's Toys For Tots campaign on Sunday, with fans being given a ticket discount for their donation or for wearing any NFL gear to the game. The first 1,000 fans through the gates starting at 3pm will receive a limited edition Bryan Hogan poster, and fans are encouraged to stay for the season's first free postgame skate immediately following the game.

The Kettering Medical Center is the official presenting sponsor of the Dayton Gems.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2011


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