Gems Win Third Straight

Published on October 30, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Bloomington, ILL- The Dayton Gems traveled to Bloomington, Illinois, tonight to embark on their first road test of the season as they took on the only remaining unbeaten team in the Conference and in the CHL in the Bloomington PrairieThunder. The Gems were looking for their third straight win on the young season after defeating Quad City (3-2) and Odessa (5-3) last weekend at Hara Arena.

The Gems would come out aggressive in the opening period and set the tone very early. Rookie defenseman Paul Ferraro gave the Gems a quick 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the first period with an unassisted goal at the 1:37 mark. A lot of experts felt like this game would be a goaltending duel between Gems starter Jeff Jakaitis and PrairieThunder starter Marco Emond and for the duration of the first period, it was Jakaitis who stole the show stopping all 14 shots he would face. Then with less than a minute remaining, Bloomington would tie the game on a goal from Jason Deleurme at the 19:08 mark of the first to send both teams to the locker room in a 1-1 deadlock.

The quick strike offense of the Gems continued right into the second period as the Gems would score two goals within the first five minutes of the period. Ernie Stewart would be the benefactor of a crazy bounce that went over the shoulder of Emond to pick up his first tally of the season. Then less than three minutes after that, Paul Ferraro would grab his second of the night with a bomb from the point on the power play to make it 3-1 with 15:00 left in the period. Whether it was the two-goal lead or just the pressure poured on by the PrairieThunder, the Gems would allow 18 shots on goal in the second and Jakaitis would stop every single one of them to keep it at 3-1 heading into the final period of play.

Defenseman Nathan Oke gave the Gems a three-goal lead at the 4:16 mark with his first goal of the season bouncing one in behind Emond. Jakaitis again was the story in the third period stopping 17 of 18 shots faced and finished the night stopping a season-high 46 saves out of 48 shots. Bloomington cut the lead to 4-2 very late in the third period with a goal by Jason Dale but it was too little too late, Gems win 4-2 and hand Bloomington their first loss of the season.

With the win the Gems remain tied for second place in the Turner Conference with eight points thanks to their 4-1-0 record on the season. The victory also marks the third straight and sets up an exciting battle with first place Colorado next weekend at Hara Arena. If the Gems win Friday night they would tie for first place and set up a chance to be alone at the top with another potential victory on Saturday. Tickets for both games are on sale at the Hara Arena box office by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Season tickets are on sale now! Full and partial ticket plans are available. For more information call the Gems offices at 937-275-7777 or log onto our website at www.daytongems.com. You can also catch us on facebook at facebook.com/daytongems. The Gems are back at Hara Arena next weekend for a two-game homestand with the Colorado Eagles on Friday, November 5th and Saturday, November 6th, with both games beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's game that weekend (November 6th) is KIDS EAT FREE NIGHT where children (ages 12 and under) will receive a voucher good for a free pop, hot dog and popcorn with the price of admission. The Kettering Medical Center is proud to be the official title sponsor of the Gems for the 2010-11 season.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2010


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