Gems Rematch Blaze for "Kids Eat Free Night"

March 10, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems conclude their two game weekend series against the Blaze with a Saturday night rematch of last night's close 5-3 Bloomington win. Faceoff is set for 7pm.

The Gems would battle evenly with conference rival Bloomington, but would be unable to stop a late period surge by the Blaze to suffer a 5-3 loss inside the historic Hara Arena on Friday night. Scoring for the Gems were Damian Surma(2) and Brandon Naurato. Dan Dunn would make 29 saves in his first regulation loss as a Gem.

Gameday In Dayton

The Gems host the Blaze for the seventh time this season inside Hara Arena, while the Gems maintain a 6-4-1 record against Bloomington, but are even on Cassano's Italian Ice with a 3-3-0 record against the Blaze.

Bloomington's win on Friday again inched them to within one point of the Gems in the Turner Conference standings, and with a weekend sweep, the Blaze can rise out of last place for the first time since October.

The Gems scored two of their three goals on the powerplay on Friday night, finishing 2 for 5 with the man advantage despite Bloomington's second best penalty kill in the CHL. The Gems efforts helped knock down the Blaze penalty kill to fourth in the circuit now coming into Saturday night 84.6% effective.

Saturday night, all kids (12 and under) eat free, while the first 1,000 kids (12 and under) receive a limited edition Gems mini stick presented by Kaplan College. Popular cartoon characters, including Scooby-Doo, will be on hand throughout the evening.

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 25 th '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.

Stellar Sterling - veteran netminder Larry Sterling continues to battle near the top of the CHL stat chart, maintaining the league's 3rd best save percentage of .923.

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 tied for third in the CHL for most powerplay goals with 10.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2012


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