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Weekend Wins Snaps Three-Game Skid for Gems

December 20, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


The Dayton Gems won a pair of road games over the weekend to snap a three game losing streak. Dayton defeated Bloomington (4-0) on Friday and Fort Wayne (3-2) Saturday.

The weekend was especially big for Gems' forward Brett Lutes. Heading into the weekend, Lutes had five goals and four assists for the season. After scoring three goals on Friday and another goal Saturday, Lutes is now the team leader for goals (9) and is in the middle of the Gems' stat sheet with five assists.

Lutes started the weekend with a goal in the first period against Fort Wayne. With time winding down Lutes was able to score with 2:57 remaining in the period.

In the second period Lutes scored again with 4:26 remaining on the clock. Lutes then scored his third goal in the third period at the 15:05 mark.

Lutes wasn't the only Gems player to score on the night. Jonathan Ornelas rounded out the scoring for the Gems with a goal with 8:57 remaining in the game.

Mike Vaskivuo and Corey Couturier each had three assists on the night. Each player recorded two assists to Lutes and an assist to Ornelas.

Defensively, goaltender Jeff Jakaitis had a career night in front of the goal. He recorded 44 saves to give Dayton its first shutout of the season.

The Gems recorded a thrilling comeback victory Saturday night.

The Gems gave up two goals to Fort Wayne early on and found themselves in a 2-0 deficit midway through the second period. After that, the Dayton Gems took control of the game.

Brandon Naurato started things off for the Gems in the second period with a goal with 9:57 remaining on the clock. The goal was extra special for Naurato since it was his first game in a Gems uniform. Dayton signed Naurato early Saturday morning after Fort Wayne had placed him on the waivers list Thursday.

Lutes scored with 16:01 remaining in the third period to tie the game at 2-2. Both Vaskivuo and Naurato assisted Lutes on the goal. The goal was Lutes' fourth goal in two games.

With just 7:43 remaining in the game, Matthew Larke completed the comeback for the Gems by scoring the go-ahead goal for Dayton to give the Gems the 3-2 win. Credited with an assist on the play were Nick Canzanello and Vaskivuo.

Saturday's win was the second straight for the Gems. It was also the fourth time this season the Gems have defeated the Komets.

With the victories, Dayton is now 13-9-1 this season and is fifth in the Turner Conference standings in the CHL.

Happening this week

Tyke Shop: The Dayton Gems will be taking part in the Tyke Shop at the Shuster Center on December 20 and 21.

Gems Players will help youngsters from the Dayton area find and buy gifts for the children's parents.

The event will be at the held at the Shuster Center in downtown Dayton. Gems players will be in attendance from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday.

Games against Fort Wayne: Dayton will be on the road again Wednesday, December 22, to take on Fort Wayne at 7:30 p.m.

This will be the second of four consecutive match-ups the Gems have with the Komets. The two teams will face each other again at Hara Arena on Sunday, December 26. Dayton will hit the road again on Monday, December 27 to face Fort Wayne for the final time in December.

There is another watch party at Boston's Bistro on Main Street at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22. Fans can come enjoy great food, beer, and hockey as Dayton (13-9-1) takes on Fort Wayne (5-15-1) in a Turner Conference match-up that is sure to be a thriller.

For fans that are unable to make it out to the game or Boston's Bistro, they can listen to the game by going to daytongems.net and clicking on the LISTEN LIVE link on the right hand side of the page.

The Kettering Medical Center is proud to be the official title sponsor of the Gems for the 2010-11 season.

Schedule of events

Date Time Event Location

Dec. 20 1 p.m. -2:30 p.m. Tyke Shop Shuster Center

Dec. 21 1 p.m. -2:30 p.m. Tyke Shop Shuster Center

Dec. 22 7:30 p.m. Game vs Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Ind.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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