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By David DiCenzo, Contributing Writer 1:45 AM Saturday, November 28, 2009

TROTWOOD — Despite a 3-1 loss Friday, Nov. 27, to the Flint Generals, a team the Dayton Gems have dominated this season, veteran defenseman and captain Greg Labenski said he doesn’t think recent off-ice issues have affected the team’s preparation.

“Obviously, everyone’s aware,” said Lebenski, who sat out the final game of his five-game elbowing suspension. “You don’t know if they’re just rumors or what’s true.

“As players, our main job is to play the game. The off-ice stuff is out of our hands.”

Gems co-owner and president Richard Bruner on Friday said he thinks the International Hockey League wants him to relinquish control of the franchise due to a failure to pay November league dues in a timely manner. Bruner also said he’s been advised not to comment further.

Meanwhile, the Generals snapped a five-game losing streak to the Gems before 2,167 fans at Hara Arena.

The Gems were outplayed on special teams, conceding two on the penalty kill, while failing on seven power-play attempts.

“They played better than us, they played harder than us and they played smarter than us,” Gems coach John Marks said. “They could have had three more goals in the third if it wasn’t for (Dayton goalie) Ryan Mior.”

Mike Vaskivuo scored for the Gems (7-8-3-0), who have lost three of four.

The Generals (4-12-0-2) jumped all over Dayton in the opening half of the first period, scoring twice with the man advantage.

Flint took a 1-0 lead at the 4:42 mark when defenseman Brandon Gentile cut to the slot and one-timed a low shot past Mior on Flint’s first power play.

The visitors made it 2-0 at 10:32 on a similar play, with John Mori getting loose in the slot this time, just moments after Joe Van Culin was tripped trying to clear the puck.

Dayton cut into the lead on a great effort by Vaskivuo. The Gems’ rookie broke into the Flint zone and rang a low shot off the post before following the miss and beating Generals’ goaltender Rob Nolan at 8:39 of the second period.

Gentile added another in the third, capping a three-point night.

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