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Gems Gameday - Gems Travel to Quad City to Begin Home-And-Home Series

December 30, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems embark on a two game home and home series with the Quad City Mallards to conclude the week of games which will see the Gems battle four times in five nights.

The Gems (11-12-5) dropped their record below .500 with a physical loss to the Bloomington Blaze last night on Cassano's Italian Ice, and despite their late period comeback effort led by Ryan Hohl's first goal of the season, the Blaze would carry their 5-3 win back home to Bloomington.

Gameday In Quad City

The Mallards host the Gems inside the iWireless Center for just the second time this season, after seeing the Gems erase a three goal deficit to beat the flock back on November 4. David Bell's Mallards continue their homestand after most recently defeating the Rapid City Rush 3-2 on Tuesday. The Mallards carry their overall record of 15-10-1 into the matchup with the Gems, and boast a winning record on home ice at 6-5-1.

For the Mallards, a red hot powerplay (22.7%, 2nd in CHL) propels their special teams offense despite an average penalty kill (80.2%, 11th in CHL).

Both teams will continue the battle on the ice when the series moves back to the historic Hara Arena in Dayton for a special New Year's Eve game.

Dayton Gems Game Notes

Christmas Made Possible - Gems players and staff surprised three needing families in the area with a "Gems Christmas" including tree, decorations, presents and dinner supplies. This was the second straight year the Gems have made Christmas possible for those in need.

Good News/Bad News - Last week, the Gems battled back to win a shootout thriller 4-3 on Thursday night against the Berry Conference's Texas Brahmas, but were blanked on Friday night 4-0 by the Turner Conference's first place Fort Wayne Komets.

Dynamic Duo - Both Damian Surma (35 points) and Brett Lutes (34 points) sit near the top of the CHL's scoring leader board, while Surma leads the entire CHL in goals with 17 in his 28 games played.

Powerplay Master - Dayton's Brandon Naurato continues to lead the CHL in powerplay goals with 8 in his 26 games this season.

Our All-Star - Dayton's Brett Lutes has been selected to the CHL's All Star Team as an alternate, and will represent the Gem City at the CHL All Star Game set for Wednesday, January 11 in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Tune Into Tonight's Games

Catch all the action live on wave96.net and CHL TV starting at 8:00pm (eastern) with Gems broadcaster JT Szabo handling the call. Fans can also tune into the Internet radio broadcast anywhere in the world with Internet connection and on the go through their smartphone.

Tickets Are Still Available For Saturday Night

The Gems return home to Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena when they host the Quad City Mallards on Saturday night at 7pm. Saturday's game is "Dayton's Biggest Family New Year's Eve Party" and the first 500 fans through the gates beginning at 6pm will receive a Gems cowbell to ring in the new year in a safe and family friendly environment.

Game Tickets are on sale now at the Hara Arena box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Call the Gems ticket office at 275-7777 for more information and to order by phone.

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