Weekend Preview - Evansville

December 3, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


A rematch of last night's thrilling come from behind 4-3 victory for the Gems will take place tonight as they take on the Evansville IceMen for the sixth time in only 17 games. After trailing 3-1 entering the third period on Thursday, the Gems mounted their best comeback of the season by scoring two goals to force overtime. In both games this season that the Gems have won after trailing at the end of two periods, they have had to score two goals in the third period to win or force overtime to have a chance to win. David Wilson was put up against Derek MacIntyre in goal for Thursday's game and both goaltenders had their moments. Wilson robbed Chris Lipsett on a breakaway in the second period to keep a 2-1 lead after the Gems had just scored their first goal of the night. MacIntyre had to make his two best saves of the season, the first of which came with just under one minute left in regulation and then the save of the game 20 seconds into overtime when he stopped a 2-on-1 with the toe of his right skate. The Gems now lead the season series with Evansville 3-2 and are 2-1 at Hara Arena (1-1 at Swonder Ice Arena). With the win last night, the Gems have now won two-straight for the third time this season, Evansville has now dropped four out of their last five and three of the those losses have come on home ice. Dayton currently sits in second place in the Turner Conference Standings with their 21 points trailing only Colorado by four points. Evansville is tied for fifth place with 18 points, but the Gems still have three games in hand on Evansville since the IceMen have played 19 to the Gems 16 games played.

SCOUTING REPORT ON EVANSVILLE:

With his two goals in last night's game, Nicklas Lindberg is now tied with teammate Jeff Nelson for the team lead in scoring against the Gems this season with six points (3G 3A) in five games played. Lindberg is also second on the team in penalty minutes against Dayton with 10; only defenseman Mario Larocque has more with his 15. Evansville has totaled 177 shots against the Gems in the five games so far accumulating the exact same number in both the second and third periods (62). All season the IceMen have been a second period hockey team, meaning they have had the most success in the middle frame by outscoring their opponents 28-16. Nine of their 12 goals in the Dayton series have come in the second period, but the IceMen have been outscored by their opponents 25-18 in the third period this season. Last night's loss marked only the second time this season in 10 games that the IceMen have lost when leading after two periods of play. Of the two IceMen netminders, David Wilson has put up the better numbers against the Gems by posting a 1-1-1 record, 2.01 goals against and .941 save percentage to go along with one shutout.

GEMS GAME NIGHT:

One of the main contributors to the Gems success against the IceMen this season has been the play of their penalty kill. They have killed off 18-20 power plays against in the five games so far (90%). It hasn't just been the Evansville series of late either for the penalty kill, over the course of the last three games; the Gems have eliminated 13-14 power plays against (93%). With his three points in last night's win, Chris Lipsett now leads the Gems in scoring for the season with 16 points (6G 10A). Lipsett is also the leading scorer versus the IceMen averaging a point per game with five points (2G 3A) in five games played. Both Derek MacIntyre and Jeff Jakaitis have been busy against Evansville, the Gems are allowing 35.4 shots against per game in the series. By picking up their 7th win on home ice last night, the Gems are now tied with Colorado, Missouri and Bossier-Shreveport for the most wins at home this season. All 10 wins for the Gems this season have come when they are outshot by their opponent (10-2-1) and they have yet to win a game when outshooting their opponents (0-3-0). The Gems defensemen have contributed eight points (3G 5A) from the blue line in the last two games (2-0 record). Dayton improved their record to 7-2-0 when scoring the first goal of the third period last night and 9-2-1 when scoring a power play goal. The Gems are a perfect 4-0-0 when holding their opponents to three goals this season.

SEASON SERIES (15 games)

10-16-10 at Dayton (Dayton Won 3-1)

11-13-10 at Evansville 8:35 p.m. (Dayton Won 2-1)

11-19-10 at Evansville 8:35 p.m. (Evansville Won 6-4)

11-25-10 at Dayton 7:00 p.m. (Evansville Won 1-0)

12-2-10 at Dayton 7:00 p.m. (Dayton Won 4-3 in OT)

12-3-10 at Evansville 8:35 p.m.

12-28-10 at Dayton 7:00 p.m.

12-31-10 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

1-29-11 at Evansville 8:35 p.m.

2-11-11 at Evansville 8:35 p.m.

2-25-11 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

3-4-11 at Evansville 8:35 p.m.

3-12-11 at Evansville 8:35 p.m.

3-17-11 at Dayton 7:00 p.m.

3-18-11 at Evansville 8:35 p.m.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2010


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