Sports stats



Gems Host Arizona on Bobblehead Night Saturday

February 25, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems return to action on Cassano's Italian Ice for the second of three total games inside Hara Arena this weekend to host the Arizona Sundogs at 7pm.

The Gems skate into Saturday night's meeting with the Sundogs fresh off a 4-0 shutout loss at the hands of the third place Missouri Mavericks on Friday night. Arizona also skates into the Gem City most recently suffering a loss, a 5-4 overtime loss to the Komets in Fort Wayne Friday night.

Gameday In Dayton

Tonight marks the first of three games this season between the Gems and Sundogs, and the lone meeting in Dayton. The Sundogs enter Saturday night's game winless in the prior four games and winning just three games in their grueling ten game road trip that spans back to February 3.

The Gems hope to snap their brief one game winless streak after falling to Missouri to even the season record to 2-2-0 against the Mavs. Friday night's loss was just the third shutout loss of the season and first since January 21 in Rapid City.

Dayton is 1-2-1 this season against Berry Conference opponents, while the Sundogs carry a record of 5-13-3 this season in their prior dealings with Turner Conference foes. The Sundogs maintain a 16-28-8 overall record headed into Saturday night's inter-conference matchup, with the Sundogs holding onto the bottom spot in the league.

The Gems will be giving away the team's first-ever bobblehead doll on Saturday night, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a limited edition Kyle Bochek bobblehead starting at 6pm.

Fairborn's Baker Middle School Sign Language Club will perform a special rendition of the National Anthem in sign language prior to the opening puckdrop.

Dayton Gems Game Notes

Jammed It for Jimmy - The Gems thawed the IceMen 4-3 in front of a season high crowd of 5,187 inside Hara Arena on Saturday, January 28. Portions of the ticket proceeds went to local teen cancer patient Jimmy Jenks, who dropped the ceremonial first puck.

Larry Saves - netminder Larry Sterling continues to stalk the top of the CHL's stat chart, maintaining a fifth best save percentage of .923.

Git-R-Dunn - Dayton's newly acquired netminder Dan Dunn is the fifth netminder this regular season to don a Gems sweater. Most recently a member of the Allen Americans, he was acquired as off waivers and earned his first win during his first start on February 18 against the Blaze (3-2 Shootout win).

Berry Unforgiving - The Gems spent last week playing a tough three game series against Berry Conference opponents (Tulsa, Texas and Allen), picking up one point in a shootout loss to Allen.

All Star Lutes - Brett Lutes represented the Gem City as the lone Gems player participating in the 2012 All Star Game. Luteswould earn two assists and a +5 rating to help his CHL All Star team beat the CHL's Arizona Sundogs 6-4.

The Closer - Dayton's Tim Hartung sits tied for most Game Winning Goals by a defenseman with 4, while leading the CHL's blueliners in Shootout Goals with 6.

Powerplay Master - Brandon Naurato is locked in a three way tie for most powerplay goals with 10.

Tune Into The Game Live!

Saturday's game against Arizona is carried live on the Dayton Gems Hockey Network, and can be found at wave96.net or CHL TV starting at 7pm eastern with Gems broadcasters Tom Michaels and Kevin O'Boyle handling the call.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central