Mavericks Use Quick Early Scores to Defeat Blaze

Published on March 5, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, gave up two goals in the game's second minute and did not recover in a 5-2 loss to the Missouri Mavericks on Tuesday night at the Independence Events Center.

The Mavericks scored two goals within 13 seconds in the first two minutes of the game to open the scoring. Sebastien Thinel pushed in a sharp angle from the right corner that was deflected in by Kenton Miller with 18:27 remaining in the opening period followed by a Riley Emmerson goal at the doorstep with 18:14 left. Missouri increased the lead to 3-0 when Ryan Jardine put a wild bounce inside the right post with 1:35 left before the first intermission.

Missouri added to the lead with 3:18 left in the second period on a power play goal from Kellen Tochkin from a drive from the high slot that clanged in off the left post. The Blaze entered the scoring column with 1:09 before the second intermission on a Brett Lutes completion of feeds from Leland Fidler and David Gilbert to cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Mavericks pushed the lead to 5-1 with 14:35 on Miller's second goal of the game on a runner from the right circle, but the Blaze countered just 20 seconds later on a Sean O'Connor tally assisted by Steve Makway to cut the Missouri lead to 5-2.

The Blaze were 0-for-6 on the power play while the Maverics were 1-of-5. Ross MacKinnon took the loss in goal with 31 saves while Mike Clemente made 27 saves for the win.

The Blaze continue the road trip with a visit to Tulsa on Friday for a 7:35 p.m. face-off with a 7:15 pre-game on WJBC.com and CHL-TV. Fans are invited to watch the game at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, 3002 Gill Street in Bloomington. The Blaze return home next Tuesday, March 12 for an important matchup with rival Quad City. Information on the Blaze can be found at www.bloomingtonblaze.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMBlaze) or by calling 309-TC SPORT (827-7678). For game day and single-game tickets, visit the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office on the east side of the building between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays or call 309-434-2679.

Junior Blaze honors: The Midwest Junior Hockey League has named Junior Blaze forward Steven Smoltz as its Player of the Week after collecting 11 points in two weekend wins over the Great Lakes Lightning. Smoltz recorded six assists in a 13-3 win on Friday followed the next day by a goal and four assists in a 10-3 triumph. The 19-year-old native of Livonia, Mich. has 30 goals and 41 assists for 71 points in 39 games this season. The Junior Blaze currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot and conclude the regular season with games against the Rhinelander Street Cats on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2013


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