MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Zoellner signs for third year with Blaze
Date:05/26/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
DECATUR, Ill. – A familiar face is returning to the Decatur Blaze for the team’s initial season in the United States Premier Hockey League. Forward Nathan Zoellner, a 20-year-old out of nearby Springfield, has signed with the Blaze for the 2015-16 season and cannot wait to get started. “I'm excited to be back in Decatur this year,” Zoellner said. “To me, it'...
Blaze bring back coach Kurt Maki
Date:05/12/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
The Decatur Blaze is excited to add Kurt Maki to their coaching staff for the 2015-2016 season as an assistant coach and assistant GM. Maki coached with head coach/GM Zac Pearson two years ago in Bloomington where they had a successful last season there before Pearson bought the team from the previous owner, David Holt, and moved the team to Decatur where they are now the highest level ...
Call stymies Decatur Blaze, Soo Firehawks wins 5-1
Date:03/13/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
A stellar performance between the pipes by Cody Call helped Soo Firehawks defeat Decatur Blaze, 5-1. After the loss made the series score 1-0 in the best of three series, Decatur Blaze faces elimination next time out. Soo Firehawks was sparked by Mario Taranto, who registered one goal. Taranto scored 10:32 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Soo Firehawks. Soo Firehawks forced Decatur Bla...
Blaze, MWJHL join USPHL
Date:03/10/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is pleased to announce the expansion of the USPHL Mid-West Junior Hockey Division for the 2015-16 season. The division will now include the membership of the Midwest Junior Hockey League – Alpena Flyers, Decatur Blaze, Detroit Fighting Irish, Michigan Ice Dogs, Motor City Monarchs, Soo Firehawks and Travers City Hounds. Thes...
Decatur Blaze uses shootout to best Soo Firehawks, 6-5 (4-2 SO)
Date:03/01/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as Decatur Blaze defeated Soo Firehawks in a shootout 6-5 (4-2 SO). The shootout featured eight attempts between both teams. Soo Firehawks got shootout goals from Christian Wilkins and Matthew MacLaren. In addition to the clincher, Decatur Blaze got shootout goals from Micah Young, Luka Znidarsic, and Duncan Irvi...
Znidarsic nets hat trick, leads Decatur Blaze to 7-1 win over Soo Firehawks
Date:02/28/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Luka Znidarsic netted a hat trick to lead Decatur Blaze over Soo Firehawks, 7-1. Znidarsic's first goal came 17:00 into the first period. He then added goals at 14 seconds into the second and at 12:43 into the second. Decatur Blaze's Matthew Hatcher was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 35 saves and let only one puck past him. Hatcher managed to improve on his goals against average, which st...
Soo Firehawks hangs on, beats Decatur Blaze 3-1
Date:02/27/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Soo Firehawks took the lead against Decatur Blaze in the first period and maintained it until the end of the game to secure a tight 3-1 victory. Soo Firehawks took over the lead for good with a goal by Nick Gordon at 3:17 in the first period. Matthew Majic assisted on the tally. Decatur Blaze was stymied by Soo Firehawks' netminder Cody Call, who stopped 50 shots during the victory. Call certainly...
Former Blaze Player Signs Pro Contract
Date:02/22/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
The Decatur Blaze have announced that former defenseman Brock Drews has signed a professional contract with the Steel City Warriors of the Federal Hockey League. Drews played for the Blaze franchise in 2013-14 when it was located in Bloomington and known as the Bloomington Jr. Blaze. "I was excited to hear about Brock signing a pro contract as he was following his dreams,” said Blaze ...
Znidarsic's big game bests Michigan Ice Dogs in 4-1 Decatur Blaze win
Date:02/22/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Behind a great game by Luka Znidarsic, who had two goals and one assist, Decatur Blaze defeated Michigan Ice Dogs, 4-1. Znidarsic found the back of the net 1:29 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Decatur Blaze and again while 55 seconds into the third to make the score 4-1 Decatur Blaze. Decatur Blaze's Matthew Hatcher was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 31 saves and let only one...
Decatur Blaze wins tough contest against Michigan Ice Dogs, 3-2
Date:02/21/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
The game between Decatur Blaze and Michigan Ice Dogs was tight through all 60 minutes, but in the end Decatur Blaze emerged with a 3-2 win. No lead was more than one goal during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Ty Gehrken at 10:22 of the third period. Decatur Blaze was led by Gehrken, who grabbed one goal. Decatur Blaze racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with six mino...
Farmer's goals lift Decatur Blaze to 2-1 victory over Michigan Ice Dogs
Date:02/20/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Behind a great game by Dylan Farmer, who had two goals, Decatur Blaze defeated Michigan Ice Dogs, 2-1. Farmer's tallies came at 8:40 into the first period to make the score 1-1 and 10:23 into the third to make the score 2-1 Decatur Blaze. Decatur Blaze was led by goalie Matthew Hatcher, who finished with 25 saves while allowing one goal. Hatcher certainly lowered his goals against average, which...
Decatur Blaze falls to Alpena Flyers after surprising comeback
Date:02/08/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Alpena Flyers rallied from two goals down to secure a 5-4 win over Decatur Blaze. Alpena Flyers never led in the game until netting the game winner. Alpena Flyers was down 3-1 after a goal by Decatur Blaze's Curtis Schlereth at 14:59 in the first period. Alpena Flyers tied things up at 4-4 on a goal by Garret Bailey at 7:10 in the third period. Alpena Flyers scored the game winner at 15:52 in the ...
Alpena Flyers rips Decatur Blaze, 6-1
Date:02/07/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Alpena Flyers had a three-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 6-1 win over Decatur Blaze. Jared Kwiatkowski was all over the ice for Alpena Flyers, as he tallied one goal and two assists in the win. Kwiatkowski scored on the power play 14:38 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Alpena Flyers. Alpena Flyers earned a power play opportunity when Luka Znida...
Decatur Blaze uses shootout to best Alpena Flyers, 2-1 (1-0 SO)
Date:02/06/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as Decatur Blaze defeated Alpena Flyers in a shootout 2-1 (1-0 SO). The shootout featured 10 attempts between both teams. Decatur Blaze was led by goalie Paul Stomper, who finished with 28 saves while allowing one goal. Stomper managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 3.5 prior to the game....
Long leads Detroit Fighting Irish over Decatur Blaze, 4-1
Date:02/03/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Eric Long was all over the ice for Detroit Fighting Irish, as he tallied two goals and two assists in Detroit Fighting Irish's 4-1 win over Decatur Blaze. Long found the back of the net 17:16 into the third period to make the score 3-1 Detroit Fighting Irish and again while 19:09 into the third to make the score 4-1 Detroit Fighting Irish. Detroit Fighting Irish's George Hill was a brick wall in n...
Young is Blaze's offensive catalyst
Date:02/02/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Courtesy MiHockeyNow.com Micah Young has made a noticeable impact in the Midwest Junior Hockey League since joining the Bloomington Jr. Blaze a year ago. When the Jr. Blaze relocated 40 minutes away to become the Decatur Blaze for the current 2014-15 season, Young renewed his commitment for the MWJHL franchise and has led the Blaze in scoring for the majority of this season. “I ended up p...
Huge game by Young boosts Decatur Blaze over Motor City Monarchs, 6-1
Date:02/02/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Behind a great game by Micah Young, who had one goal and two assists, Decatur Blaze defeated Motor City Monarchs, 6-1. Young beat Stephan Demmers with a shot 47 seconds into the third period to make the score 2-1 Decatur Blaze. Curtis Schlereth provided the assist. Young dished an assist on Nathan Zoellner's goal that made the score 3-1 Decatur Blaze at 5:35 into the third period. He added another...
Wojciechowski lifts MC Monarchs over Decatur Blaze, 6-3
Date:01/25/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Anthony Wojciechowski had four goals to lead MC Monarchs to a 6-3 victory over Decatur Blaze. Wojciechowski got on the scoresheet 14:06 into the first period. He then added goals at 13:58 into the second, at 19:53 into the second, and at 10:47 into the third. MC Monarchs forced Decatur Blaze's goalies to work without much rest, firing 37 shots and forcing 31 saves. Brandon Macak made 13 stops and ...
Decatur Blaze survives MC Monarchs comeback, wins 4-3
Date:01/24/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
MC Monarchs tried its best to erase a two-goal deficit, but Decatur Blaze would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 4-3. A goal by Brandon Adler put Decatur Blaze up 4-2 in the third period, but MC Monarchs pulled to within one on Anthony Wojciechowski's tally 8:31 into the third period. Decatur Blaze got the win behind a great game by Adler, who had two goals and one assist. Adler score...
Decatur Blaze completes comeback, beats Detroit Fighting Irish, 5-4
Date:01/23/2015 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Decatur Blaze climbed out of a two-goal hole to beat Detroit Fighting Irish, 5-4. Decatur Blaze let multiple leads slip away before eventually digging out of a two hole to pick up the win. Decatur Blaze took a 3-2 advantage on a goal by Brandon Adler at 19:05 in the first period. Decatur Blaze went down 2-0 after Detroit Fighting Irish's Christian Ramage put the puck home at 6:07 in the first peri...
Decatur Blaze uses early goal to top Traverse City Hounds, 4-2
Date:12/13/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Decatur Blaze took the lead against Traverse City Hounds in the first period and maintained it until the end of the game to secure a tight 4-2 victory. A goal 14:12 into the first period by Justus Kree proved to be the game winner, and powered Decatur Blaze to the victory. Luka Znidarsic picked up the assist. Decatur Blaze was sparked by Garret Maged, who finished with one goal. Maged scored 17:08...
Traverse City Hounds blows out Decatur Blaze, 7-1
Date:12/12/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Traverse City Hounds had a two-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 7-1 win over Decatur Blaze. Traverse City Hounds' David Krejcik was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 45 saves and let only one puck past him. The solid play of Krejcik will be reflected in his goals against average, which pre-game was 1.73. Traverse City Hounds was led by Cam Givens, who...
Long's hat trick boosts Detroit Fighting Irish over Decatur Blaze, 5-2
Date:12/07/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Eric Long lifted Detroit Fighting Irish to a 5-2 victory with a hat trick against Decatur Blaze. Long's first goal came 5:58 into the second period. He then added goals at 16:41 into the second and at 8:40 into the third. Decatur Blaze's power play was ineffective against Detroit Fighting Irish's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded. Detroit Fighting Irish forced Decatur Blaze'...
Detroit Fighting Irish downs Decatur Blaze in overtime, 7-6 (OT)
Date:12/06/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Richard Pinkowski gave Detroit Fighting Irish a 7-6 (OT) victory over Decatur Blaze when he scored 3:45 into the extra period. Detroit Fighting Irish overcame a three-goal deficit to capture the victory. Detroit Fighting Irish trailed 5-2 after a goal by Decatur Blaze's Micah Young at 4:11 in the third period. Detroit Fighting Irish tied things up at 6-6 on a power play goal by Young at 18:08 in t...
Decatur Blaze uses shootout to best Detroit Fighting Irish, 6-5 (2-1 SO)
Date:12/05/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as Decatur Blaze defeated Detroit Fighting Irish in a shootout 6-5 (2-1 SO). The shootout lasted for 12 attempts between the teams. Detroit Fighting Irish's shootout goal was scored by Eric Long. In addition to the clincher, Decatur Blaze got a shootout goal from Luka Znidarsic. Decatur Blaze came back from a two...
MC Monarchs uses early goal to top Decatur Blaze, 5-3
Date:11/23/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
MC Monarchs beat Decatur Blaze, 5-3, in a contest where the winning goal was scored in the first period but the game remained close throughout. MC Monarchs took over the lead for good with a goal by Anthony Wojciechowski at 17:59 in the first period. Justin Session assisted on the tally. MC Monarchs got the win on the strength of a great game by Session, who had two goals and one assist. Session s...
MC Monarchs squeaks by Decatur Blaze, 4-3
Date:11/22/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
MC Monarchs gutted out a close 4-3 win against Decatur Blaze. Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Adam Jonak secured the win for MC Monarchs with a goal in the third period. MC Monarchs was sparked by Jonak, who had one goal and one assist. Jonak scored on the power play 18:53 into the third period to make the score 4-3 MC Monarchs. MC Monarchs had gotten the advantage when De...
Decatur Blaze holds on for 6-4 win against MC Monarchs
Date:11/21/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
MC Monarchs tried to dig itself out of a three-goal hole, but Decatur Blaze held on for a 6-4 victory. Decatur Blaze made the score 6-3 on a goal by Brandon Adler at 11:18 in the third period, and MC Monarchs got as close as 6-4 when Anthony Wojciechowski scored 12:27 into the third period. Luka Znidarsic had a great game for Decatur Blaze, netting two goals. Znidarsic found the back of the net 11...
Blaze host Sunday event at DCC
Date:11/14/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
The Decatur Blaze would like to invite any player from the Decatur Youth Program to skate Sunday at the Decatur Civic Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the Blaze. Coach Zac Pearson will be running practice drills along with fun games. Come join the Blaze!!!! ...
Saturday and Sunday games cancelled
Date:11/13/2014 Source:MWJHL: Decatur Blaze
The Decatur Blaze are sorry to inform fans that there will be no league games this weekend against the Berkley Bruins, as originally scheduled. With that being said, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the Blaze will be hosting a Skate with the Blaze and Player Meet & Greet Night at the Decatur Civic Center. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Blaze will play an inter-squad game and then fans can lac...
