Final Minute Rally Not Enough for IceMen
December 19, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- Despite a last minute goal, the Evansville IceMen, presented by Coors Light, fell to the Reading Royals by a score of 2-1 at the Ford Center. The IceMen have lost six in a row and now stand at 8-12-2-1 (19 points), while the Royals improved to 14-9-1-1 (30 points).
In the first period, Evansville had a scoring chance as Kevin Harvey made a cross crease pass to Troy Rutkowski. Martin Ouellette made the save on Rutkowski's shot. Reading's Ian Waters picked up the rebound and passed it to Pat Mullane who found Adam Comrie on a breakaway.
Comrie snuck one past Chris Driedger for his seventh goal of the season. The Royals took a one-goal lead into the first intermission.
Reading added to its lead in the second period. Fresh out of the penalty box, Olivier Labelle took the puck behind the IceMen net. Labelle then dished it to a charging David Marshall who put it home to give the Royals a 2-0 lead heading into the second break.
Evansville pulled Driedger with three minutes left in the game. After Adam Hughesman missed the empty net, the IceMen gained some momentum.
In the final minute, Rutkowski carried the puck down low and took a shot from the goal line. Danny Hobbs deflected Rutkowski's shot past Martin Ouellette to break up the shutout and bring the IceMen back within one. Brandon Wong picked up an assist on Hobbs' fourth of the season.
Evansville fired a few more pucks at the net in the final minute, but Ouellette and the Royals were able to hang on for the 2-1 win. Ouellette made 27 saves as he nabbed his ninth victory of the season. Driedger turned away 34 of the 36 pucks he saw to earn the game's second star in the loss.
The IceMen and Royals will battle again tomorrow night as Evansville will play the final contest of this six game home stand. Puck drop is set for 7:15 as the IceMen try to win their first game in December and snap this six game skid.
Come celebrate the holidays with the IceMen on Saturday night as the first 3,000 fans through the doors will receive a free IceMen stocking. Evansville will wear "Ugly Christmas Sweater Jerseys" that will be auctioned off after the game.
Searching for the perfect gift for the IceMen fan in your life? Call the IceMen ticket office at 812-421-GOAL to find out more about the IceMen's Holiday Pack and Home for the Holidays ticket specials.
Single game tickets are on sale now for all games at the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
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