Jakaitis, 27, found out about the nomination in a text from an old Columbia Inferno (ECHL) teammate, Liam Huculak, who now plays for the Allen Americans and is also nominated for the award. Aside from his play between the pipes (22-17-3 record, .929 save percentage), Jakaitis has been busy in the community, attending numerous functions, participating in a Habitat for Humanity project and raising awareness for breast cancer.
“This turned out to be a really good situation for me,” said Jakaitis, who had played in Dayton against the Bombers in his ECHL days. “I got an opportunity and wanted to repay the Gems by playing well and winning games. I’ve had a chance to explore the city and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
The last year has been a whirlwind for Jakaitis. He played in Italy the previous season and was looking for a job in the summer. He began corresponding with Gems coach Brian Gratz and eventually landed in Dayton. Jakaitis, who became a father in the fall, went on to earn a CHL All-Star Game nod and is currently playing with the Portland Pirates, his second American Hockey League stint this season. Regardless of where he plays, Jakaitis is thankful to be involved in the pro game and having fun each step of the way.
“I’m kind of living life day to day,” Jakaitis said. “That’s the way it’s been. That’s hockey.”
The Man of the Year award winner will be announced March 22.
Sprint to the finish
With six games remaining in the regular season and a playoff berth already clinched, the Gems have two clear goals: finish as strong as possible and, if possible, leapfrog a couple of teams along the way. It’s a difficult task with the postseason looming.
“That’s the elephant in the room,” Gratz said of the fact that the Gems are booked for the playoffs. “But we want to move up the ladder.”
Dayton enters tonight’s game against the Evansville IceMen with a 29-26-5 record, good for seventh in the Turner Conference. But three of the six remaining games are against the Quad City Mallards, who are two points ahead of the Gems with one more game played. So the opportunity is there for Dayton.
“The games left are with teams all around us,” said Gratz. “We want to keep Fort Wayne in the rear-view mirror and pass Quad City.”
Join the Madness
The Gems are hosting a free competition for roundball junkies. The Hockey and Hoops Bracket Challenge is an opportunity for fans to win prizes by filling out a bracket for the NCAA Tournament.
Like most NCAA pools, participants receive points for each win, which increase in value by the round. The grand prize for the leading point getter is a Gems jersey signed by the team, as well as 20 flex tickets for the 2011-12 season.
To register, visit www.daytongems.com and click the “Hockey and Hoops Bracket Challenge” link. Deadline for entries is noon Thursday.
Undermanned
The Gems are down a few bodies after a tough road trip, with a 3-2 shootout loss in Mississippi being particularly costly. Dayton’s players were down psychologically after seeing popular defenseman Nathan Oke stretchered off with a serious leg injury that will keep the Fenelon Falls, Ont., native out for the rest of the year. Matt Miller also suffered an upper body injury that game and is currently out of the lineup.
Tom Boudreau is back playing, which is good news. And the Gems can also sign up to two amateur players for the playoffs.
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