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Mallards score early to defeat Blaze for second straight night

October 29, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, could not overcome an early deficit and lost 6-2 to the Quad City Mallards on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.

The Mallards wasted little time, scoring twice in the first 1:16 on goals from Eric Giosa and Brandon Marino. Giosa added his second tally of the night with 4:18 left in the opening period to give Quad City a 3-0 lead going into the first intermission.

For the second straight night, the game featured a scoreless second period. The scoring re-opened in the final period when the Mallards increased the lead to 4-0 on a breakaway goal by Mickey Lang with 13:41 left. The Blaze finally lit the lamp just past the halfway point of the period when Kyle Laughlin scored his first goal of the season, but Quad City pushed the lead back to 5-1 on Brandon Marino's second goal of the night with 6:26 left. Travis Granbois scored the remaining Blaze goal on a rebound during a power play with under five minutes left, and the Mallards put the final score on the board with only 19 seconds remaining on a tumbling shot from the right side by Justin Chwedoruk.

Each team was awarded four power plays, with the Blaze converting one and the Mallards scoring twice. The Mallards outshot the Blaze 41-38. The Blaze fall to 1-1-1 while the Mallards improve to 2-1-0.

The Blaze continue the season-opening homestand next Friday and Saturday. Friday's contest against the Evansville IceMen is Penny Pincher Date Night, with one free reserved ticket with the purchase of one, plus with the purchase of any combo meal, the second one of equal or lesser value is free. On Saturday, November 5 against the Rapid City Rush, the Blaze will host the largest giveaway in the history of U.S. Cellular Coliseum as Extreme Motors presents the "Great Car Giveaway Night," when one lucky fan will drive away in a brand new $17,000 2012 Hyundai Accent. The Blaze will also host a Clare House Food Drive on Saturday, when fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the game, and in thanks, fans can receive one entry into the car giveaway for each food item donated, up to five additional entries. No purchase is necessary, and the Coliseum box office and www.uscellularcoliseum.com have official rules. For tickets, call 309-434-2980.

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