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Gems hope to rebuild on recent win streak

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By David DiCenzo, Contributing Writer 6:01 PM Thursday, December 3, 2009

TROTWOOD – Thursday’s announcement of the formation of the GDHC (Greater Dayton Hockey Partners) LLC means the Dayton Gems are headed in the right direction with regards to off-ice business.

On the ice, the forward progression began last week. The Gems bounced back big time from a weak effort in a 3-1 loss to the Flint Generals, winning two huge road games against the IHL’s elite teams. Head coach John Marks said that the back-to-back wins over the league-leading Muskegon Lumberjacks (4-2 last Saturday) and Bloomington Prairie Thunder (a 3-0 shutout) are hopefully a stepping stone for the 9-8-3-0 Gems.

“We got four points against teams ahead of us,” said Marks, noting that 5 of the team’s victories came against the struggling Generals. “The wins were more significant.”

Marks said he was proud that the team played with both effort and intelligence. But one of the main bright spots was goalie Derek MacIntyre, who was between the pipes for both road wins, including his first shutout of the season.

With regular starter Ryan Mior called up to the AHL’s Rochester Americans this week, the extra games for MacIntyre ended up being perfectly timed.

“After the Muskegon win, I thought he needs to get in the net again,” said Marks. “I was happy to be able to come back with him.”

Gems’ memories

Rob Garfield, one of the six new franchise owners, has fond memories of the original Gems franchise. The owner of both Garfield Logistics Inc. and Dream Catcher Coaches Ltd. said he recalled the days when Hara was rocking and would love to recapture that vibe.

“This was the place,” Garfield said of Hara. “You couldn’t find a seat in here.”

The Enon native, whose Dream Catcher company buses the Gems, emphasized how the new group members were all locally based, with their families and businesses in and around Dayton.

“We’re in it for the long haul,” he said.

Changes

The Gems cut two players loose last week. Forwards Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and Edgars Brancis weren’t producing enough to warrant a roster spot.

One of the replacements, Corey Couturier, took full advantage of the opportunity. The 24-year-old from Traverse City, Mich. jumped right into the fray on a line with John Snowden and Tim Hartung and chipped in two big goals in the two road games.

Couturier was recently released from the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and contemplated taking a break from hockey. But he got in touch with his old friends MacIntyre and Joe Van Culin, who got them in contact with Marks.

“He’s a great coach,” said Couturier. “He makes me want to play again.”

Marks immediately got the newcomer in the lineup and it paid dividends. But Couturier’s hardly the teacher’s pet based on his impressive debut.

“I’m still trying to get in shape,” he said with a smile. “He gives me a lot of crap about that.”

The other new addition is 6-foot-2, 205-pound winger Kevin Flather. The 23-year-old Surrey, British Columbia native has good size and Marks said he likes what he sees, though he’ll ease Flather into the lineup.

Mullen update

Injured forward Michael Mullen is currently on the 14-day Injured Reserve list after being taken to the hospital last week. Mullen was checked into the boards during the Muskegon game and carried off the ice on a stretcher.

Marks said Mullen is being monitored daily.

Komets coming

The renewed Gems kick off their two-game home stand against the Fort Wayne Komets tonight. Dayton’s hung with the two-time defending Turner Cup champions this season but have yet to beat them, losing both meetings in overtime.

“We’re learning,” said Marks. “Fort Wayne’s a team that knows how to win. They’ve proven that.”

Marks said the Komets feast on mistakes so he’s expecting a smart effort from his players.

“We need to play a perfect game,” he said. “We know they can be beat.”