Mallards Rout Blaze

Published on January 29, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


MOLINE - The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, fell behind early and never recovered in an 8-2 loss to the Quad City Mallards on Tuesday night at iWireless Center.

The Mallards needed only 1:04 to open the scoring when Anthony Perdicaro elevated a wrister over a prone defender and goaltender. The Flock made it 2-0 with 16:31 left in the opening period on a centering pass from behind the net from Mickey Lang to Mike Hellyer in the slot. The Blaze got one goal back on a Matt Puntereri goal off a flurry in front of the net on assists from Kyle Bochek and Nicolas Rioux with 12:11 remaining in the opening period to cut the Mallard lead to 2-1. Quad City converted a 2-on-1 break on a shorthanded goal with 8:38 left in the first when Hellyer fed Mickey Lang for a conversion at the right post to build the hosts' lead to 3-1.

The Blaze scored on a power play with 15:41 remaining in the second period with a Steve Makway shot from the left point on assists from Nicklas Lindberg and Travis Granbois to cut the Mallard lead to 3-2. The Flock countered with a tally at the right post by Matt Boyd with 12:32 in the middle chapter to build their lead back to 4-2. Patrick Levesque put home an off-balance shot at the doorstep with 8:56 left to increase Quad City's lead to 5-2 on assists from Obi Aduba and Perdicaro. Aduba shoved in a rebound goal on a power play with 7:12 left in the second period to put the Mallards ahead 6-2 and end the night for Blaze goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier.

The Mallards continued the scoring with 16:01 left in the third period when Mike Stinziani took a feed as he crashed the left post, then Quad City's Jason Dixon made it 8-2 just 29 seconds later when he rolled the puck behind Dunn.

Pelletier took the loss with 11 saves while Neil Conway earned the win with 35 saves.

The Blaze continue the six-game road stretch with games three and four of the swing this Friday and Saturday in Denver. Face-off each night is at 8:05 p.m. Central with pre-game on WJBC.com and CHL-TV at 7:45. Fans can watch all road games at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington. After a return trip to the Quad Cities to conclude the road swing on Friday, February 8, the Blaze return home on Saturday, February 9 to host the Mallards on American Heart Association Night sponsored by OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. Fans who wear red that night will be admitted for only $10 and the Blaze will wear special jerseys to be auctioned after the game. For more information on the Blaze, visit www.bloomingtonblaze.com, like the team on Facebook, follow the Blaze on Twitter (BLMBlaze) or call 309-TC SPORT (827-7678). For single-game and game day tickets, visit the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office or call 309-434-2679.

Junior Blaze honors: Patrick Anaruk of the Junior Blaze has been named Midwest Junior Hockey League Defenseman of the Week after a four-point weekend at Rhinelander. Anaruk scored two goals on Friday followed by a goal and an assist on Saturday and has goals in five of his last six games. The Junior Blaze host the Holland River Bandits at 11:30 a.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. Monday in their next action.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2013


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