Weekend Preview-Bloomington

November 27, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


This marks the second of eight meetings between the Gems and the PrairieThunder this season, the first at Hara Arena. Bloomington and Dayton enter tonight's matchup tied in terms of points (17) but the PrairieThunder are listed ahead of the Gems in the Turner Conference Standings because they have a game in hand having played one fewer than the Gems. Bloomington is playing their third game of a busy week that features four games in five nights and after losing their first game of the week, they have won two straight. The Gems have lost two straight and are trying to get out of a slump that has seen them drop three of their last four games overall. The Gems really struggled against this team last season only winning one game in 11 attempts (1-9-1).

SCOUTING REPORT ON BLOOMINGTON:

The PrairieThunder come into tonight's game with the best road record in the Turner Conference (5-1-0). They have a lot of momentum coming in after winning in Quad City last night. They are one of six teams (including the Gems) that have eight wins already in the Turner Conference. Bloomington currently owns the top penalty kill in the CHL at 87.5% having killed off 56-64 power plays against. This team does however struggle on offense they have only scored 35 goals in 13 games played but their goaltending has only yielded 30 goals against. Their number one in net is without question Marco Emond, his miniscule 2.18 goals against is fifth best in the league and he is among the top ten in save percentage at .924 and wins with seven. Forward Jason Dale leads the team in scoring with 11 points (5G 6A) and former Gem John Snowden is second on the team with ten points (6G 4A).

GEMS GAME NIGHT:

The Gems are trying to snap a two-game losing streak after being shutout by the Evansville IceMen on Thursday in a 1-0 affair. Over the last three games, the Gems power play has struggled only converting on 1-13 chances. The Gems set a new season-high for shots in a period with 18 in the first period on Thursday and also set a new season high for total shots in a home game with 39. Both times the Gems have been shutout have been by the score of 1-0 and in both games Jeff Jakaitis took the loss and had to stop a penalty shot each time. Dayton is 1-0 against Bloomington this season after beating the PrairieThunder on their home ice back on October 30th. Three different Gems recorded two points (Boisvert, Boudreau and Ferraro) and rookie defenseman Paul Ferraro scored his first game-winning-goal of the season and of his professional career. Jeff Jakaitis was spectacular stopping 46 out of 48 shots against and the Gems penalty kill eliminated all four of Bloomington's power play chances.

SEASON SERIES (8 games)

10-30-10 at Bloomington (Dayton Won 4-2)

11-27-10 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

12-10-10 at Bloomington 8:05 p.m.

12-17-10 at Bloomington 8:05 p.m.

12-30-10 at Bloomington 8:05 p.m.

1-7-11 at Bloomington 8:05 p.m.

1-14-11 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

2-2-11 at Dayton 7:00 p.m.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2010


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