Gems fall to MudBugs 7-2, still clinch playoff berth

March 11, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Friday night presented the Gems with two different scenarios in their quest to clinch a playoff berth. With a win or overtime loss or a loss by Evansville against Quad City would clinch a playoff berth.

The Gems would have to hope for an Evansville loss after a 7-2 defeat against Bossier-Shreveport Saturday night.

The MudBugs got on the scoreboard first when Shawn Limpright scored his 18th goal of the season at the 10:00 mark in the first. Jeff Kyrzakos and Travis Clayton were credited with assists on the goal. After Limpright's goal the defenses for both teams picked up. The MudBugs recorded only five shots in the first, while the Gems recorded a season low one shot in the first period. At the end of one the MudBugs held a 1-0 lead over the Gems.

The second period was the complete opposite from the first. Less than ten seconds into the second period the MudBugs extended their lead to 2-0. Shane Hart scored the MudBugs second goal at the 19:51 mark. The MudBugs were not finished, less than twenty seconds later at the 19:38 mark the MudBugs extended their lead to 3-0, on a goal from forward David Rutherford.

Trailing 3-0, the Gems got on the board at the 14:01 mark when defensemen Nick Canzanello scored his seventh goal of the season.

At the 10:07 mark Steven Crampton pushed the MudBugs lead back to three, on his 16th goal of the season. Shane Hart added his second goal of the game at the 4:11 mark pushing the MudBugs lead to 5-1.

The second period ended with Bossier-Shreveport leading the Gems 5-1.

The Gems cut the deficit midway through the third to 5-2 on Brandon Naurato's 15th goal of the season with 12:15 left in the game. Four minutes later at the 8:34 mark, the MudBugs extended their lead back to four after Brett Smith added his 19th goal on the season. The MudBugs were not finished; Travis Clayton added another goal for Bossier-Shreveport with 7:15 left in the third.

The seven goals the Gems gave up tonight were the most given up by Dayton since the team's second game of the season October 17th against Rapid City.

Even with Dayton's defeat tonight, the Gems captured a playoff berth via Evansville's 5-0 defeat to Quad City. The Gems will wrap up their four game road trip as they travel to Evansville Saturday night to take on the IceMen 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.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2011


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