Gems Overpowered by Komets in Tough 8-2 Home Loss

Published on November 8, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems dropped their first home loss of the season to an overpowering Fort Wayne Komets offense by a final score of 8-2 Tuesday night on Cassano's Italian Ice inside the historic Hara Arena. Scoring both goals for the Gems was Brandon Naurato, picking up his third and fourth goals of the season on the powerplay in the second period.

Looking to avenge their last outing on Cassano's Italian Ice, the Komets quickly took control of the flow, blasting a bevy of shots early on Gems netminder Bryan Hogan. Leaving a scrambling Dayton squad behind, Fort Wayne lit the lamp just 2:08 into the opener, opening the scoring and taking the 1-0 lead. Dayton would battle for chances in front of Komet goalie Nick Boucher, but wouldn't be able to connect before the Komets extended their lead with their second tally at 10:42 off the stick of Fort Wayne's Jamie Milam. Milam wouldn't be done however, as he bounced in his second goal of the night in the closing minutes of the first, giving the visitors the 3-0 lead at the horn. The Komets led Dayton in shots on goal after twenty minutes 13-3.

Picking up right where they left off in the first, Fort Wayne again dominated off the opening draw, netting their fourth goal quickly off an odd man rush through neutral ice only 2:22 into the stanza. Hoping to energize his club, Gems head coach Brian Gratz made the decision to replace Hogan with backup netminder Kris Westblom after the Komets fourth goal. Despite their improved battles in the corners, the Gems defense would be unable to stop a surging Fort Wayne offense as they walked right into Westblom's ice for two back to back powerplay lamplighters about three minutes apart to take the commanding 6-0 lead over the hometown Gems. As play settled in with the clock approaching the midway mark of the hockey game, Dayton's option to take their timeout worked to help focus the Gems on both ends of the ice, ultimately charging up Dayton's own powerplay unit, which came into the game second in the entire Central Hockey League at an impressive 25%. On the Gems first two man advantage of the night, it would be Brandon Naurato to lead the effort with the man advantage, eventually bouncing in a rebound past Boucher to break the Komets shutout, and cut the lead back to five. The goal, Naurato's third of the season, was assisted by linemates Brett Lutes and Damian Surma at 11:31. The Goal also helped continue Surma's five game point streak to start the season. As the powerplay continued after the goal, Nauarto would strike again just over a minute later, this time a deflection in front of a screened Boucher to tip in his second powerplay goal of the night and make it a 6-2 game at the 12:42 mark off the sticks of Surma and Lutes. Stepping up to help his club gain further momentum, Charlie Townsend tussled with Komets toughguy Dustin Molle, earning the accolades of the hometown crowd for his efforts. Despite their chances through the horn, the Gems trailed the Komets 6-2 after forty minutes of play, while Dayton actually outshot the Komets 15-13 in the second period.

Despite the positive energy mounting inside Hara Arena, the Komets would do their best to keep the building quiet when they posted their seventh goal to kick off the third period, coming from a shot from the far point past Westblom 6:49 into the final period of regulation to forge the 7-2 lead. Not leaving town without a final nip, the Komets would cap off their scoring with a shot buried past Westblom with just under five minutes remaining in regulation to make it an 8-2 final for the visitors.

With the loss, the Gems snap their two game winning streak, and fall to 2-2-2 (6pts) in the standings.

Dayton remains on Cassano's Italian Ice when they host the Evansville IceMen for the first time this season inside the historic Hara Arena on Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm. Tickets are available by calling the Gems at 275-7777 or visiting www.DaytonGems.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2011


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