Dayton Gems Offer Holiday Fun

 

The Dayton Gems kicked off their three game Thanksgiving week home stand with a big win Sunday on the ice and for fans. All week there is free parking at Trotwood's Hara Arena, $5 admission with a food donation for the local pantry, and more. Wednesday is dollar beer night and Friday is Harry Potter night with prizes for the best character costume from the popular movie series.

Sunday featured a free for all dodge ball game during the first intermission played by mascots from many area businesses including the Gems own mascot Blade. Can you name all the mascots in the picture above?

The fun continues tonight and Friday. Tonight the Gems face Bloomington's Prairie Thunder and Friday the Flint Generals. Both games start at 7:30. For more information contact the Gems ticket office at 275-7777.

Rams Meet Winton Woods Tonight

Trotwood-Madison Rams Fans should expect to see more of the ground game making this year's team assault in the playoffs so successful. Last week against Turpin Antwan Gilbert showed once again why he remains the points leader. But he is not alone as you can see in this picture the offensive line keeps making it possible with excellent blocks.

 

Tonight the Rams face Winton Woods for the regional championship game at 7:30 in Mason. The winner will advance for a chance at the state championships

Rams To Play Winton Woods In Mason

Trotwood will be play for the regional football trophy at Mason High School against Winton Woods on Friday November 20 at 7:30.

Trotwood's 43-7 win against undefeated Turpin sends the Trotwood-Madison Rams to the regional finals for the first time since 1981.

Trotwood Returns To Flyin' To The Hoop January 16

The Trotwood-Madison Rams will appear in the 2010 Flyin' To The Hoop basketaball showcase for the 5th consecutive year. This year the Rams are scheduled in prime time on Saturday evening January 16th at 6:30 pm vs. Montverde Academy (FL).

Montverde Academy is the twelfth ranked national high school team by ESPN. This central florida private boarding school delivers a top notch basketball program year after year under coach Kevin Sutton. Suttons carreer coaching record stood at 373-80 as of last summer.

Trotwood's public school program continues to produce division championships in southwest Ohio and includes visits to the final four state championships in 2006 and 2007. Those two years the teams offense was led by Chris Wright now a junior at the University of Dayton. Wright, a standout shooter, is expected to be a first round NBA draft pick upon graduation.


Tickets and more information about Flyin' To The Hoop is available at http://www.flyintothehoop.com

Rams Run Over Mt Healthy

Story and photos by Bruce Kettelle

Mt Healthy got a healthy dose of the Trotwood-Madison Rams last Friday in the first round of the 2009 Ohio football playoff season. Jerimiah Tolbert (#25) of Mt Healthy tried early and often to break the Ram defense but kept running into walls built by Christian Townsend and Jordan Paschal.

Tolbert's counterpart on the Rams offense is running back Antwan Gilbert. At times it seemed the Owls could stop Gilbert's incessant penetration.

Mt Healthy tried sending the ball with Tracy Barnes but that didn't work too well either.

Trotwood stuck with Gilbert and he dominated the first half with 211 yards scoring four touchdowns.

Gilbert was all smiles on the bench.

Near the end of the fourth quarter Israel Green (#25), a surprise substitution for Gilbert, made a midfield break and ran it in for the final touchdown and the 41-6 win.

Green is a freshman that is showing enough promise to be included on the varsity squad.

The Rams took a moment to rejoice on the field after the game but this Friday they will face Turpin. Turpin is undefeated this season and will undoubtedly spend this week studying the tapes to learn how to stop the the Rams running game. Trotwood and Turpin will play Friday night at 7:30 at the Princeton High School stadium. Advance tickets are $7 at Trotwood High School from 7-3:15 daily. $9 admission at the gate.

Icemen Break Dayton Winning Streak

By Bruce Kettelle

After two wins this weekend the Gems tried hard to make it three on Sunday. But the Icehawks from Port Huron help their ground after a go ahead goal early in the third period.

It wasn't for lack of trying. The Gems had stepped up their game this week and made several strong attacks. The Icehawks held, breaking up key plays and even defended an empty net power play during the last two minutes of the evening.

Ryan Mior had the night off which put the pressure on Derek Macintyre(1-4) in the goal. Matt Auffrey and Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn scored for the Dayton Gems 2-3 loss.

The Gems go on the road this week returning to Hara next Sunday for the return of the Flint Generals.

Joe VanCulin tries to hold back Mike Kinnie who scored Port Huron's go ahead goal. The Icehawks continued to press the Gems in the third period.

Kinnie gets a pass by the Gems' Joe VanCulin.

Derek Macintyre traps the puck after this shot by the Icehawks.

Gems Hold Generals With 1 Goal

They played ice hockey in Hara last night. And it was good. After a lackluster 1st period by both teams the fans came alive as the board checks became fierce and tempers started to show on the ice.

The Dayton Gems manuvered their second win in a row Saturday against the Flint Generals. Seven minutes into the second period Michael Mullen found the net on a great attack with help from Dan Lapointe and Matt Auffrey.

The Generals sought revenge but that would be the only score of the night. The Gems had 32 shots on goal to the Generals 25. Their record is now 4-3-2-0. The Gems finish their 3 home game weekend with a dustup against the Port Huron Ice Hawks Sunday at 5pm.

 

Gem Mike Vaskivuo delivers a strong board check in the second to Steve Silver of the Generals.

 

Tempers flared in the third. Both Matt Auffrey and Craig Cescon took fighting penalties for connecting a few punches.

Gems Shake Jacks In Shootout

By Bruce Kettelle

The Dayton Gems began there three night home stand in the positive column heading off a tie against the Muskegon Lumberjacks in a shootout for the 3-2 win.

After the scoreless first period Johnathon Ornelas made a great breakaway at mid-ice taking it all the way in for the first score of the match just 15 seconds into the 2nd. The Lumberjacks found their first opening just 30 seconds later to tie it up and moved ahead with another point 3 minutes later.

The Gems found the net again in the third with a goal by Preston Briggs setting up the shootout in Hara Arena. Dayton had 48 shots for the game to Muskegon's 37. Dayton's season now stands at 3-3-2-0.

The Gems do it again tonight at 7:30 against the Flint Generals and Sunday at 5pm against the Port Huron Ice Hawks. Saturday is report card night. Kids presenting a report card with an A at the door will get free admission.

Johnathon Ornelas breaks away for the first score of the game.

Phil Youngclaus looks for a way past the Lumberjacks as the Dayton Gems earn their second home win of the season.

John Snowden passes back to Joe Van Culin against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Lumberjack Matt Krug can't stop Gem Michael Mullins on this net attack leaving several players down on the ice.