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Gems Make Their First Visit to Oklahoma

February 14, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


The Dayton Gems make their first and only trip to Eastern Oklahoma this regular season to battle the Berry Conference's Tulsa Oilers on Tuesday night inside the spacious BOK Center.

The Gems begin their inter-conference swing after most recently snapping a season high five game winless streak in convincing fashion on Saturday night at Hara Arena. Larry Sterling would backstop the Gems to a 5-0 thrashing of first place Fort Wayne on Cassano's Italian Ice, earning Sterling his first shutout of the season and just the second this campaign for the Dayton squad.

Gameday In Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Tulsa Oilers play host to the Dayton Gems for the only time this season on Tuesday night hot off the heals of a thrilling 9-6 win over Rio Grande Valley.

The Gems look to continue their winning ways after their big win over Turner Conference rival Fort Wayne, but skate into uncharted territory this week with their first inter-conference games of the season on Tuesday against Tulsa, Wednesday at Texas and then on Friday at home against Allen. Dayton's powerplay unit has improved statistically over last weekend's gameplay, inching up to 11 th in the league at 16.2%, while Tulsa compares nearly evenly with the tenth best man advantage in the circuit at 17.3%.

The Oilers have made the BOK Center a difficult venue for opposing clubs this season, skating to an impressive 13-5-2 record in front of their home crowd. Handling the duty between the pipes for Tulsa is former Ohio State Buckeye Ian Keserich, who has led his club with a respectable .906 save percentage and a record of 18-11-1. Dayton's Larry Sterling, who was named the first star for his shutout performance last Saturday night, enters Tuesday's game with the fourth best save percentage in the CHL (.923) and a goals against average of 2.88 through 26 appearances.

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 fourth best save percentage of .923.

Dunn It Right - 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.

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 3, while leading the CHL's blueliners in Shootout Goals with 4.

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

Tune Into Tuesday's Game Live

Tuesday's game against the Oilers is carried live on the Dayton Gems Hockey Network, and can be found at wave96.net or CHL TV starting at 8pm eastern with Gems broadcaster JT Szabo handling the call.

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