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Gems Fall to First Place IceMen 4-1 on Friday Night

December 9, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Evansville, Indiana - Luck wouldn't be on the Gems side as they remained winless against first place Evansville IceMen this season after falling 4-1 inside the Ford Center in Evansville Friday night. Scoring for the Gems was Brett Lutes, who earned his eighth goal of the season in the third period.

After a scoreless first period, and on their first man advantage of the night, the IceMen would use their deadly powerplay to get onto the boxscore first, bouncing in a rebound past Gems starting netminder Bryan Hogan just 2:47 into the middle frame. With the lead, Evansville would generate a lucky shot from the near point a little over the midway mark to beat a screened Hogan to light the lamp at 10:08 and extend the hometown lead to 2-0 on the scoreboard hanging above center ice. Dayton would send a decent amount of work towards IceMen goalie Pier-Olivier Pelletier, but would see a flawless netminding performance through forty minutes of play. Dayton's Nick Fanto was able to beat Pelletier on a slapshot from the near circle, but was denied when his shot rung off the shortside post. Evansville would outshoot the Gems 12-4 in the middle stanza for a two period total of 19-15 in favor of the IceMen.

The Gems would battle back and pick up their first goal of the game to lead off the third period, thanks to Brett Lutes notching his 8th goal of the season off a pass from Brandon Naurato to cut the lead back down to one at the 11:25 mark of the third. Evansville would capitalize on a Gems defensive miscue moments later to extend the lead back to two with a point shot to light the lamp at 13:00 before putting a bow on their scoring with their second powerplay goal of the night on only their third man advantage at the 17:29 mark to secure the 4-1 win. Dayton's Brett Lutes found himself engaged in fisticuffs with less than a second left in regulation, leaving the game on an aggressive note. Final shots on goal favored Evansville 33 to 27, while the Ice Men went 2 for 3 with the powerplay and keeping the Gems scoreless in their six opportunities.

With the loss, the Gems remain winless against the IceMen this season, and see their record stand at 8-7-4 heading into their second game of the weekend back on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena when the Gems host the Quad City Mallards at 7pm.

Saturday night's home game against the Mallards is WPAFB Night, as the Gems salute the men and women of the United States Air Force with the first 500 fans through the gates receiving a miniature American flag. Tickets are still available by calling the Gems at 275-7777 or by visiting www.DaytonGems.com.

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