Weekend Preview-Evansville

Published on December 2, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


For the fifth time in just 16 games for the Gems (18 for Evansville) the Dayton Gems and the Evansville IceMen will meet tonight as both teams attempt to attain two important points in the Turner Conference Standings. Evansville enters tonight's game on a slide of losing three-straight, while the Gems look to continue the momentum they have after beating Bloomington last Saturday (November 27th). The interesting thing about this series is that Dayton started the series out by winning the first two games and now Evansville has won the last two to tie the series at 2-2. David Wilson was the star in the IceMen's 1-0 shutout of the Gems on Thanksgiving night (November 25th) here at Hara Arena making 39 saves. After being outscored by the Gems 5-2 in the first two games, Evansville has now outscored Dayton 7-4 in the last two games. Tim Hartung leads the Gems in scoring against the IceMen with four points (2G 2A). The Gems penalty kill against Evansville, has been their best against any opponent this season having killed off 15-17 power plays against (88.2%). A very surprising statistic for both of these teams this season is that combined they are 1-7-1 (Gems 0-3-0 IceMen 1-4-1) when outshooting their opponents.

SCOUTING REPORT ON EVANSVILLE:

Expect the IceMen to come out firing on all cylinders, this is a team that right now is in the midst of a three-game losing skid and uncharacteristically it's the goaltending that has been causing the problem. Number one starter Matt Lundin is 0-3-0 in his last three starts yielding a goals against of 4.00 and only stopping .875 percent of shots against. Their penalty kill has also failed them of late, allowing three power play goals in the 5-2 loss to Mississippi on Tuesday night. The IceMen lead the CHL in most minor penalties called with 145 entering Wednesday and four out of the top five players with the most individual minor penalties called are all IceMenordan Little, Mario Larocque, Joe Grimaldi and Nicklas Lindberg). This is also a team that has been decimated with injuries all season; they have only dressed a full18-man roster one time in 17 games. Their best period of hockey this season has been the second period, having outscored their opponents 26-15. They are also dangerous with the lead heading into the final period, posting a record of 7-1-1 when leading after two periods of play, but they struggle when trailing failing to win a game so far when down after 40 minutes (0-5-0 record).

GEMS GAME NIGHT:

The last time the Gems hosted Evansville (November 25th) they set two new season-highs, one for most shots in a period with 18 and the other for most shots in a game with 39, however in the four games the two teams have played so far this season, the Gems have been outshot by the IceMen 139-126. Tim Hartung is leading the entire CHL in shooting percentage converting on 5G in only 17 shots on goal (.294). The Gems currently post the second most wins on home ice this season with six and are outscoring their opponents 32-27 on home ice. Dayton is nearly unbeatable when holding the lead after two periods of play, posting an impressive record of 6-0-1, but they do struggle when trailing after two periods having only won one game in six attempts during that scenario (1-5-0). That lone win came in Fort Wayne when the Gems scored two third period goals to come from behind and steal one 2-1 on November 20th. Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is third in the CHL in save percentage with his .932 mark and is also third in minutes played at 721:33. The Gems have allowed the second fewest goals in the third period in the CHL, only giving up 13 in 15 games (only Bloomington has given up fewer with 10) six of those 13 however have been scored in the last two minutes of the game and two of those six have been within the last 30 seconds. Dayton has scored the first goal of the game in three out of the four games with Evansville. The Gems are currently last in the CHL in shots against per game, giving up almost 38 (37.40) a contest. Rookie Erik Boisvert is currently tied for the lead in scoring for rookies with 14 points and his seven goals have him tied for most goals by a rookie as well.

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.

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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2010


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