NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Gems Host First Place Evansville for Sunday

February 26, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems finish their three game weekend homestand with a Sunday afternoon matinee when they host first place Evansville IceMen on Cassano's Italian Ice. Faceoff is set for 4pm.

The Gems skate into Sunday's weekend conclusion after pulling off a 3-2 win against the Arizona Sundogs in a marathon shootout Saturday night at Hara. Scoring for the Gems was Nick Fanto and Jon Ornelas, who also notched the game winner in the showdown. Gems backup netminder Dan Dunn earned his second shootout win of the season, applying his trademark "last shooter" pokecheck to secure the victory in front of 3,512 cheering fans on Kyle Bochek bobblehead night.

Gameday In Dayton

Tonight marks the final meeting this season with the Evansville IceMen. Despite taking the IceMen into extra frames three times this season, the Gems have only one win to their credit and come into Sunday's final meeting 1-5-3 in their nine prior meetings with Evansville.

Dayton's lone win this season against the IceMen came back on January 28 inside Hara Arena, a 4-3 regulation win on Cassano's Italian Ice. With their shootout win Saturday night against Arizona, the Gems evened their home record to 10-10-5 in front of the hometown faithful.

Evansville makes their fifth trip to the Gem City, and is red hot atop the Turner Conference Standings. Toting their impressive nine game winning streak that has seen them pad their standing lead with Fort Wayne, the IceMen carry a CHL-best overall record of 35-13-4 as they inch their way to becoming one of the first teams to formally punch their playoff ticket. Equally impressive is their record away from the Ford Center, going 15-6-3 I visitor's barns this season. As it has been nearly all season, the IceMen are propelled by their top notch special teams units, holding the second best powerplay system in the league (22.2%) and top penalty killing unit (86.1%).

The Gems will be offering a postgame skate and autograph session immediately following Sunday's game on Cassano's Italian Ice. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans Sunday will receive a Tim Hartung poster. Gates open to the public at 3pm.

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.

Sign of the Times - February 25th's win over the Sundogs opened with a unique performance of the National Anthem by Fairborn middle school students, who "signed" the anthem in sign language.

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) and again won a 3-2 shootout against Arizona on February 25.

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 7.

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

Tune Into The Game Live!

Sunday's game against Evansville 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 26, 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