Evansville IceMen Weekly

Published on February 17, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


RUNDOWN LOWDOWN: For the first time since early January, the Evansville IceMen of the ECHL have assembled back-to-back consecutive victories. Under the astute auspices of third-year General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen rose up with two extraordinary performances to complete the sweep of the two-game home-and-home series against principal arch rival Fort Wayne. In the process, they upgraded their overall season record to 54(19-30-5) totaling 43-points and fifth place in the Eastern Conference North Division standings. The crew of "The Kromminator" have 18-games remaining on their 2012-13 ECHL schedule with 6-more at home and still 12-more remaining in foreign territory. This week, the "Icers" continue this strenuous stretch of four consecutive games on the road when they make their first-ever excursion to the state of Florida where they will be hosted by the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday night and the reigning ECHL Kelly Cup Champions, the Florida Everblades on both Friday and Saturday nights. The IceMen do not return home to the amiable climes and environs of their Ford Center ice palace until Thursday night, February 28th when they host the Toledo Walleye in a 7:15 pm face-off.

SIX MORE TRICKS AT HOME: With six more home appearances still remaining on the docket for the current ECHL regular season, the IceMen organization still has some more tricks up its sleeve on game nights at the Ford Center. On their next home night event, Thursday, February 28th against the Toledo Walleye, the IceMen will be presenting their second "Star Wars Night" of the season. Then on Sunday, March 1st, for a second consecutive first of the month, the IceMen will, once again, play host to North Division leading Cincinnati. This particular Sunday game will have a special starting time of 7:15 pm from the Ford Center as the IceMen stage their first-ever "Indianapolis 500 Night." Also slated for that night will be the annual Child Abuse Awareness Night.

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT:" It's yet another fun-filled, entertaining two hours' edition of the IceMen ever-popular Monday night radio show this week. "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light!" Show host, Terry Ficorelli's special guests will be defensemen Aaron Gens and Matt Gens. "It's IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light," Monday night from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm live from Show-Me's East and on radio flagship home, "Magic 98.5 FM" and 1400 AM WEOA as well as world-wide on the internet at magic985fm.com and 1400amweoa.com.

WRAP THE RECAP: Confronted with another ambitious agenda consisting of 3-games in 4-nights with all battles being waged against their own North Division delegation, the IceMen compiled a winning record of 3(2-1-0). Actually launching the week on a rather downtrodden chord through an agonizing 2-1 home ice defeat Wednesday night against Toledo, the "Men of the Igloo" re-gathered and regrouped to promptly proceed to sweep a two-game home-and-home series at the expense of major archenemy Fort Wayne. At home on Friday night, the IceMen delighted the league's largest crowd of the night of 7,301 in disfiguring the Fort Wayners, 6-1. The Todd Robinson (1-3-4)GWG; Kevin Baker (2-2-4)FG/PPG; Josh Beaulieu (0-4-4) forward line collaborated their efforts and exploits to the tune of 12-points on 3-goals, 9-assists. Trent Vogelhuber (1-1-2)PPG, Jason Dale and Matt Krug each caged connections while goaltender Paul Dainton was superlative, rebuking 37 of 38-SOG. The IceMen weekend domination of the Komets continued Saturday night in Fort Wayne where before a SRO crowd of 10.420, the IceMen ambushed the K's, 4-2. For the second straight night, the victors fused a 3-goal second period powder keg to cement the success. For a second consecutive second period in this series, the IceMen erupted for 3-strikes into the night to solidify the victory. For a second consecutive night Kevin Baker fired a pair of goals; Donnie Harris (1-1-2) and Dylan Clarke also delivered and Todd Robinson adeptly and adroitly authored two more assists. Paul Dainton was, again, dynamic in goal, brushing aside 28 of 30-SOG including a second period penalty shot with the IceMen nursing a somewhat precarious 2-1 lead.

RECORD SPIN WITH WIN: By engineering a 3(2-1-0) mark for the past week, the IceMen have elevated their season-long record to 54(19-30-5) totaling 43-points. The IceMen back-to-back, two consecutive conquests in as many contests the past weekend represent their first back-to-back victories since back in early January when they opened that month with a 4-game undefeated skein; 4(3-0-1). The second half of the season record stands at 18(7-9-2); since the beginning of the New Year; 20(8-10-2); since the All-Star break; 11(3-7-1). The longest win streak for this season has been 3-in a row. The IceMen are presently on their fifth 2-game win streak of the current campaign. The longest unbeaten stretches have been 6(4-0-2) and 4(3-0-1). The longest losing streak has been 4-in a row; longest winless spell has been 7(0-6-1) mirroring the initial 7-games of the current season. The monthly precincts reporting in; October 7(0-6-1); November 14(6-8-0); December 13(5-6-2); January 12(5-6-1); February 8(3-4-1).

HOME WIN WALLOP: When they dismantled Fort Wayne Friday night at the Ford Center, 6-1, the IceMen achieved their second best goal output total in a single game .thus far this season, while at the same, matching their most lopsided victory of the season, also against Fort Wayne back on November 17th in the Northern Indiana's team exotic burg, 5-0. The Friday night victory dissolved Evansville's 2-game home losing span. The IceMen are 6(2-4-0) in their last 6-home dates; last 8(3-5-0). Since the All-Star break; 5(2-3-0); since the second half; 10(5-5-0); since the New Year; 11(6-5-0). The longest home win streaks have been 4-in a row and 3-in succession. Longest home ice losing streak has been 5-in a row which represent the initial 5-home encounters of the current campaign. For the season, the IceMen home record is 30(13-17-0).

TRUE BREAKTHROUGH: The IceMen halted a 5-game winless streak; 5(0-4-1) on the road with their 4-2 victory verdict Saturday night at Fort Wayne. It was Evansville's first victory away from home bay since January 12th when Josh Beaulieu connected on the first shot in the first minute of OT (:38) to extract a hard-earned 4-3 victory. The 5-game winless spell abroad was the second longest of the season behind 8(0-5-3) established earlier in this campaign. The IceMen are 8(2-4-2) in their last 8-road dates; last 15(2-9-4); since the All-Star break; 6(1-4-1); since the second half; 8(2-4-2); since the New Year; 9(2-5-2). Five of the 6-total road wins have been gained on Saturday night; 10(5-4-1). The road mark for the season is: 24(6-13-5).

MISSION BY DIVISION: With those two consecutive victories in as many nights this past weekend against archenemy Fort Wayne, the IceMen have, once again, climbed to within one victory of attaining the .500 barrier against their own North Division competition at 33(14-15-4). Against the other two divisions, the Evansville club has a combined mark of 21(5-15-1). The IceMen are 12(3-8-1) against the Atlantic Division and 9(2-7-0) in on-ice warfare when tangling with South Division competition.

RAPTURE STATURE: On another one of his patented potent scoring streaks, center Todd Robinson has skyrocketed meteorically to circuit 7th in league wide-scoring with 46(4-51-55). Left wing Josh Beaulieu has catapulted into the 10th position with 54(22-29-51). Robinson's 51-assists and 27-PPA both top the loop; his 27-PP/points rank runner-up in the ECHL. As for Beaulieu, his 11-PPG tie for second most in the league and his 5-GWG are 6th best in the ECHL. Daniel Tetrault has climbed to #14 in ECHL defense scoring with 53(6-19-25).

KEVIN CLUTCH: Nine-year veteran right wing Kevin Baker is in a zone of his own at this hour of the season. The former ECHL scoring titlist and MVP has just produced his best banner week since his acquisition by Evansville from Orlando. In 3-games, he amassed an astronomical 7-points on 4-goals, 3-assists with all 4-goals and 2 of the 3-assists garnered in spurring his team to the weekend 2-game series sweep of Fort Wayne. In Friday night's 6-1 carnage of the Komets Evansville's #17 was named the game's #1 Star, registering 2-goals, 2-assists, 4-points and healthy +2 rating along with 3-SOG. Then one night later, with the venue switching to Fort Wayne, Baker delivered yet another 2-goal enormous performance including his second PPG in as many nights as well the ultimate GWG, earning him for the second straight night the game's #1 Star. The Kingston, Ontario native is presently riding the rising rapids of a 4-game point, purveying 8-points in that span; 4(4-4-8). Baker is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Player of the Week.

THE MASTER ARRANGER: Todd Robinson is molten-lava hot at this stage of the season with his prolific point productivity .In 3-games the past week, "T. Rob" maestroed 7-points on 1-goal (GWG) and 6-assists with 6 of those 7-points produced in the two-game series sweep of Fort Wayne. "Tape-to-Tape Todd's" latest point streak has advanced to 4-games in which he has been the adept and adroit architect of a prodigious 11-points on 1-goal, 10assists including two 4-point masterpieces in that recent span. In his last 13-games; 13(2-21-23); last 20-games; (3-28-31).

THE JOSH JUKE BOX: Six year left wing Josh Beaulieu has found a new hockey home in Evansville and the Tri-State region as his popularity with the IceMen fans continues to grow and glow. In his club's 6-1 marooning of Fort Wayne on home ice Friday night, "Beau" orchestrated his second 4-assists' performance of the season. In his last 8-games; 8(4-9-13); last 13(7-11-18); last 28-games; 28(11-22-33).

DAINTON DELUXE: Third-year goaltender Paul Dainton enjoyed his best week ever in an IceMen uniform since being assigned to Evansville through its NHL/AHL connection of Columbus and Springfield. Having made 6-consecutive starts in the IceMen goal and all three the past week, the former UMass-Amherst star was a human puck detour as the backbone backstop for his club. In the 3-games the past week, he was impervious and impregnable, grudgingly surrendering only 5-GA while repelling 105 of 110-SOG. His GAA for the week is a microscopic 1.67 and his SPCT for the past week is a brilliant .955. In all three games, he was hailed and heralded one of the game's three stars, being the recipient of two #2 Star honors and one #3 Star award. Dainton is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE "HARRY" HOWITZER: Second-year defenseman Donnie Harris has emerged as a rather pleasant discovery and surprise on the IceMen injury-wounded blue line this season. The SPHL refugee has stepped-in and acquitted himself admirably, demonstrating a steadying influence which has translated favorably into some strong solidarity on the IceMen defense. In fact, in Saturday night's 4-2 triumph at Fort Wayne, the man they affectionately refer to as "Harry" delivered his first IceMen goal as well as adding an assist for a 2-points effort and stellar +2 rating. In 16-games with his new team, Harris has collected 3-points and solid +3 rating.

MARKING HIS RETURN: First year right wing Trent Vogelhuber enjoyed an excellent return to the lineup following a 9-game absence due injury. The product of Miami of Ohio U. sounded his return to the lineup on Friday night by collecting a pair of points which included 1-PPG to climax with a crescendo his team's 6-1 resounding pounding of Fort Wayne.

RANKING THE KRUG CRANKING: As a late entry, four-year defenseman Matt Krug has been assertive and abrasive in significantly upgrading and elevating the IceMen injury-plagued defense. The past weekend, the 2009-10 IHL Defenseman of the Year, First team All-Star and Defense Scoring Champion, cranked his first goal on a cannon shot from the top of the slot sparking his team's 3-goal second period blitz in the decisive 6-1 vanquishing of the Fort Wayners. For the sweep of the two-game series over the Komets, Krug was a lofty +4, sculpting a +2 rating in each contest.

EXHILIRATING ELIXIR: Perhaps, the best, most consistent constant for this entire IceMen season has been the promi-nence of prowess from their special teams. Case in point was Friday night's 6-1 victory over Fort Wayne as the power play spiced the victors' zesty and lusty assault by going an impeccable 2-2. For the season, the power play has ascended to 8th in the ECHL, operating at 19.9% proficiency. To elaborate, illuminate and enumerate, the IceMen are 6 for the last 15; 40%; 7 for the last 24; 29.2%; 10 for the last 34; 29.7%; 15 for the last 53; 28.3%. Not to be superseded has been the IceMen penalty killing cast. Evansville has surged to 5th best in the ECHL. The PK is a perfect 22 for 22 in recent action; 100%. Moreover, the opposition is only 3 for the last 50; 94% efficiency and 7 for the last 88; 92%.

MILESTONES MAGIC: Josh Beaulieu (99) and Dylan Clarke (99) are both one point away from the pro career 100. Mark Cody's next game (199) will be the 200th in his pro career. Jake Obermeyer (191) needs 9-more games to reach 200 in the pro ranks. Kevin Baker (247) is 3-assists shy of pro #250. Todd Robinson 917(338-943-1,281) is 19-points away from pro career 1,300. Head Coach Rich Kromm (391) is 9-wins away from $400.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen have won their last 2-starts at Fort Wayne, outscoring the Komets, 9-2. The IceMen are 8(5-1-2) in their last 8-games in Fort Wayne. Overall, in winning 4 of the last 6-games over Fort Wayne thus far this season, the IceMen have limited Fort Wayne to only 9-goals for a GAA of a sterling and stingy 1.50. The IceMen 6-goal output Friday night over Fort Wayne was their second best single goal output for the season. In his last 20-games, Daniel Tetrault is 20(4-12-16). Two of Todd Robinson's 4-goals have been GWG. The IceMen are 21(16-2-3) when entering the third period with the lead. When the IceMen score 4-GF, they are unblemished at 12(11-0-1).

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH THE ICEMEN AT ORLANDO 6:00 PM

The second and final meeting of the season for the two newer members of the ECHL. The IceMen are making their first-ever appearance in Orlando in this southern expedition. Evansville leads the two-game season series, 1(1-0-0) by virtue of their convincing 5-1 conquest back on January 4th at the Ford Center. The fledgling Solar Bears begin the week residing in fifth place in the Eastern Conference South Division. Orlando is affiliated with the NHL Minnesota Wild and the AHL Houston Aeros.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND THE ICEMEN AT FLORIDA 6:30 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD THE ICEMEN AT FLORIDA 6:00 PM

For the first time ever, the IceMen and the Everblades will collide in a two-game series at Germain Arena in Fort Myers. The Everblades are the reigning ECHL Kelly Cup Champions from the 2011-12 . It was Florida's first ECHL crown. The Everblades begin the week occupying third place in the South Division standings looking to cinch and clinch a playoff berth. The Everblades do not make an appearance in Evansville this season.

THE ICEMEN ON THE NEW "MAGIC 98.5 FM" WEOA/WEOA-AM 1400 & THE ICEMEN RADIO NETWORK:

All of the IceMen game broadcasts are on flagship stations; the all-new "Magic 98.5 FM, WEOA as well as on WEOA-AM 1400. Also, they are on the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com and magic985fm.com as well as the IceMen Radio Network. WLME-FM 102.7, "The Game" in Owensboro, KY; WMSK-AM 1550, Morganfield, KY and WVLN-AM 740 in Olney, IL broadcast the complete schedule of IceMen games while WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7, Jasper, IN carry a select schedule of games, numbering 23-30 for the season.

THE ICEMEN DAILY UPDATES ARE EVERYWHERE ON THE AIR: The IceMen daily update reports can now be heard on 18-different radio outlets throughout the Tri-State region. Flagship WEOA-FM 98.5 and WEOA-AM 1400 program the IceMen report at 4:200 pm Monday through Friday. The Townsquare Media family of stations; WGBF-AM 1280, WGBF-FM 103.1, WKDQ-FM 99.5; WJLT-FM 105.3; WKDS-FM 106.1; WBKR-FM 92.5, Owensboro, KY and WOMI-AM 1490, Owensboro, KY present the report every afternoon in drive time between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Elsewhere, WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7 in Jasper, IN; WSON-am 860 and WSON-FM 96.5 in Henderson, KY; WMSK-AM 1550, WMSK-FM 101.3 in Morganfield, KY; WRAY-AM 1250 in Princeton, IN; WLME-FM 102.7, "The Game" in Owensboro KY and WYFX-FM ESPN Radio 106.7, Mount Vernon, IN.

THE ICEMEN TICKET INFORMATION: IceMen single game tickets for all 36-home games are on sale at the Ford Center Box Office and at Ticketmaster.com or by contacting the IceMen offices for various season ticket plans and great group rates at (812) 421-GOAL (4625). Visit the IceMen website at www.evansvilleicemen.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 17, 2013


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