Gems Fall to IceMen 5-2 on the Road Sunday Afternoon

Published on November 13, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Evansville, IN - The Dayton Gems would find themselves down early and would not be able to overcome the deficit, ultimately falling to the Evansville IceMen 5-2 inside the Ford Center on Sunday afternoon. Scoring for the Gems was Jon Ornelas and Damian Surma.

Looking surprising refreshed after the late night bus ride, the Gems came out firing on all cylinders to begin their third game in less than 72 hours, battling evenly with the IceMen in the opening minutes of the first period. Trading shots on goal in a fluid end to end game tempo, both teams would earn quality chances in front of their opponents net as time wound along in the frame. Catching a scrambling Dayton defense, Evansville's Niklas Lindberg would capitalize on a rebound in front of Gems starting netminder Kris Westblom to take the 1-0 lead at the 13:29 mark. Continuing their offensive pressure, Evansville would add to their lead less than three minutes later at 16:03 as Lindberg once again lit the lamp, this time off a deflection from the initial shot from the far corner. The IceMen would take their 2-0 lead into the first intermission, and would edge the Gems in shots on goal after twenty minutes 16-12.

Starting the second period with yet another point against the Gems, Evansville's Lindberg helped set up a feed to noted "Gems Killer" Brian Bicek to blast a shot past the stickside shoulder of Westblom to extend the hometown lead to 3-0 just 1:49 into the second period. As the period accelerated, as did the physicality, with Dayton defenseman Matt Baxter engaging in a round of fisticuffs with IceMen toughguy Mark Cody to try and charge his Gems. In the second, each team earned time with the man advantage, but both would remain scoreless with an extra attacker through forty minutes. Evansville would once again outshoot the Gems in the middle period, 17 to 12 for a two period total of 33-24.

The IceMen would extend their lead to 5-0 with a pair of goals in the first half of the third, an despite a surge of shots towards the Evansville net, it wouldn't be until the 13:11 mark when the Gems could find the back of the net, with Jon Ornelas blasting a one-timer from Matt Lark on an odd man rush to light the lamp and break the scoring seal. Dayton's Damian Surma would snipe in a shot from the far point with just seconds left on the clock to cut the final deficit to three, and securing the 5-2 IceMen victory at the final horn. Evansville would lead the Gems in shots after sixty minutes 40-35.

With the loss, the Gems drop their record to 2-4-3 and extend their winless streak to four games, while Evansville improves to 6-0-1.

The Gems return to action this Thursday night when they host the Bloomington Blaze on Cassano's Italian Ice inside the historic Hara Arena at 7pm. Thursday night's game is the first "Thirsty Thursday" of the season, and features the return of dollar beer night and introduces the first Gems stadium cup giveaway. Tickets are now available by calling the Gems ticket office at 275-7777 or by visiting www.DaytonGems.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2011


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