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Gems Split Weekend Series with 6-0 Loss to Rush

January 21, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Rapid City, SD - In reverse to Friday night, the Dayton Gems would find themselves on the losing end of a shutout as the Rapid City Rush struck back with a 6-0 final score to finish the weekend series split with Dayton.

Both teams would skate into the rematch with intensity, but a powerplay goal by the Rush at 7:41 would awaken the Rapid City offensive machinery to tack on their second goal less than five minutes later at 12:08 to extend the lead to two. As the period ticked away, Dayton's toughguy Robin Richards again found himself in a bout of fisticuffs when tangled with Anthony Perdicaro just after the Rush's second goal, highlighting the increase in physicality on both ends of the ice. The Gems would earn quality chances on Rush netminder Tim Boron, but would be denied through twenty minutes. Rapid City struck a heartbreaking blow to the Gems in the closing seconds of the period, as captain Scott Wray scored from the point with just :25 left in the stanza to give the hometown Rush the 3-0 lead into the first intermission. Shots through the first favored Rapid City 11-10.

With Gems head coach making the goaltending switch to Larry Sterling, the second period would feature end to end action and quality scoring chances on both sides, but would remain scoreless until the closing minutes, when Rapid City's Jesse Schultz would send in a shot on Sterling that bounced behind him and slowly trickled across the goal line for the Rush's forth goal of the night at 18:23. Immediately after the goal, Richards again dropped mitts and this time engaged in fisticuffs with Rapid City's Andrew Smale. At the horn, the Gems would skate into the second intermission trailing Rapid City 4-0, while the Rush again edged Dayton in shots 9-8 in the second twenty minutes.

Rapid City would get on the board just seconds into the third period while having the extra attacker on a delayed Gems penalty to extend their lead to 5-0 at the :36 mark. The Rush would light the lamp one more time at 14:15 to cap off their 6-0 lead. Dayton would have several chances in front of the Rush net, but Boron would remain flawless between the pipes to ensure the 6-0 shutout and lead his Rapid City team to their 20th win of the season. Shots in the third would favor the Gems 10-8 for a game total of 28-28.

With the loss, the Gems record falls to 13-18-7, but take two points out of a possible four back to Dayton after the weekend split with the Rush.

The Gems now make the 1,200 mile trek back to the Miami Valley and will prepare to host the Rush on Friday, January 27 on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena. The first 500 fans will get a limited edition Gems rally towel presented by Kendall Marketing Solutions. Tickets are now available by calling the Gems at 275-7777 or by visiting www.DaytonGems.com.

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