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Weekend Preview-Gems Battle Fort Wayne and Arizona

November 11, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


A big week lies ahead for the Dayton Gems after two games against first place Colorado last week, (0-1-1) the Gems are looking to get back into the win column with three games in the next three days. It begins tonight with the first of 14 (7 home 7 away) regular season meetings with the rival Fort Wayne Komets at 7:00 p.m. Then on Friday, the Gems welcome the Arizona Sundogs for the first time in team history at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to Evansville to take on the IceMen at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

SCOUTING REPORT ON FORT WAYNE:

The Komets have played the fewest games in the entire CHL so far, only playing in six games and compiling a record of 2-3-1, which currently puts them in last place in the Turner Conference but its early and this team has a history of winning not just games but Championships. Earlier this season the Komets got a big assist from the NHL when they announced their affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2010-11 season. The Komets were 8-1-0 at Hara last season and have won seven straight over the Gems in Dayton. The last time the Gems beat the Komets was in Fort Wayne in February of 2010. Forward Sean O'Connor recorded his 100th point as a Komet on Saturday. They are led in scoring by veteran defenseman Guy Dupuis with five points (1G, 4A). The Komets are 79-84-12 all-time against Dayton.

SCOUTING REPORT ON ARIZONA:

The Sundogs are currently in the midst of a season-long eight-game road trip and it's been a tough one to start considering they are winless in their last five games. Rookie Jason Williams leads all CHL rookies in scoring with eight points and goals with five. Williams also leads all scorers in power play goals with four. Arizona has a habit of making trips to the penalty box; they are the most penalized team in the CHL with their 72 minor penalties. Adam Smyth leads the team and the league in PIMs with 95. Their goaltending has struggled and tenders Bobby Jarosz and Doug Groenestege have combined for a 2-6-0 record, 3.63 goals against and .892 save percentage. The team as a whole has allowed 29 goals against in only eight games. The 2-6-0 record has the Sundogs in last place in the Berry Conference. Arizona is 2-2-0 on Friday's this season.

GEMS GAME NIGHT:

After some tough calls in both games resulted in the Gems only getting one point on the weekend against Colorado in the 5-4 shootout loss this past Saturday, the Gems hope to put those games behind them and continue their above .500 winning percentage on home ice. Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis has started every game for the Gems so far this season and has a record of 4-2-1, goals against of 2.70 and save percentage of .929. He is second in the league in minutes played with 422:51 and is tied for fourth with his four wins. After scoring two goals in Saturday's game against Colorado, veteran forward Chris Lipsett now leads the team in scoring with nine points (3G, 6A) and has recorded at least one point in all but two games this season. The Gems split two games in the preseason with the Komets losing in Fort Wayne 3-2 and winning in Dayton 6-1 back in October.

SEASON SERIES (FORT WAYNE-14 games)

11-11-10 at Dayton 7:00 p.m.

11-20-10 at Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.

12-4-10 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

12-18-10 at Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.

12-22-10 at Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.

12-26-10 at Dayton 5:00 p.m.

12-27-10 at Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.

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

1-8-11 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

2-12-11 at Dayton 7:30 p.m.

2-18-11 at Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.

2-20-11 at Fort Wayne 5:00 p.m.

2-27-11 at Dayton 5:00 p.m.

3-23-11 at Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.

SEASON SERIES (ARIZONA-1 game)

11-12-10 at Dayton

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