BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington Blaze broke open a tie game with two late goals to win their third straight game at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, 3-1 over the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night.
* The Blaze broke open the scoring with the only first period goal, a power play tally with 10:03 left when Luke Popko pushed in a wraparound goal. Mark Znutas and Aaron Dawson earned the assists.
The Komets equaled the contest with 9:35 remaining in the second period when Jean-Michel Rizk buried a centering pass from Stephon Thorne, sending the game to the second intermission tied 1-1.
The Blaze broke open the game late in the third period with two quick goals. Vladimir Nikiforov continued his torrid offense with his sixth goal on a perfect pass from Jon Booras at the top of the crease, with Ryan Palmer receiving the other assist with 5:16 remaining in the final period.
Booras then scored on a breakaway just 27 seconds later, tallying his team-leading seventh goal assisted by Craig Cescon and Nikiforov.
Bloomington out shot the Komets 43-36 as Blaze goalie Zane Kalemba earned his third win with 35 saves. The Blaze won their third straight home game, and stopped a six-game Komets win streak.
PHN Photographer Jeff Buydos recorded the action at Friday night’s game and has submitted the following photo essay, which focuses on the skaters and the difficulty in finding free ice and time to make that crucial pass either out of the defensive zone or within the offensive zone to set up a scoring opportunity.
Bloomington defenseman Omar Pacha goes down behind the Komets%27 net%2C defended by Brett Smith.
Fort Wayne winger Kaleigh Schrock moves the puck as a Blaze defender attempts a block.
Komets defenseman Frankie DeAngelis gets hit as he struggles to control the puck.
Bloomington%27s Chris Chambers takes control of the puck as two Komets trail closely.
Blaze defenseman Aaron Dawson goes down after a collision with Kimets center Leo Thomas.
Bloomington defenseman Craig Cescon meets the glass after getting hit by a Komets defender.
Blaze defenseman Mark Znutas prepares to challenge a Komets player for the puck.
Ft. Wayne%27s Jean-Michel Rizk moves the puck with Bloomington%27s Jon Booras in pursuit.
Contact the editor at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at jeff.buydos@prohockeynews.com
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