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Evansville IceMen Weekly

February 3, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


RUNDOWN LOWDOWN: Opening the fifth month of the 2012-13 ECHL season this past weekend in the form of a two-game homestand in as many nights at the Ford Center, the Evansville IceMen divided a pair of encounters to launch their 12-game February schedule. In the process, the IceMen concluded the 18th week of the campaign, having played 48-games with 24-more remaining on the 72-game schedule. Under the tutorship of third year General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen have assembled a season-long mark of 48(17-27-4) totaling 38-points and fifth place position in the Eastern Conference North Division standings. Of those remaining 24-dates, the IceMen have only 8 more games on the card for home ice appearances with still 16-more outings set for alien ice combat. This week, the men of Evansville pro hockey renown embark on an extended three-game foreign ice mission which will transport them to Kalamazoo for a Wednesday night assignment against the resurgent Wings before the hometown team ventures to South Carolina to be hosted by the Stingrays on Friday night. The road journey will be capped next Saturday night as the IceMen also make their first-ever trek to Gwinnett, Georgia where they will duel with the Gladiators.

CIRCLING NEXT HOME DATES: The IceMen next action on home ice will be Wednesday night, February 13th when they tackle North Division rival Toledo at7:15 at the Ford Center. The world famous "Philly Fanatic" will be the major marquee star as he performs and entertains the Tri-State area on this special night. Then on Friday night, February 15th, the IceMen will renew acrimonious and acerbic acquaintances with their principal archrivals, the Fort Wayne Komets, also at 7:15 pm. The IceMen organization will be presenting a special Valentine's night promotion which will include an "Icicles" poster giveaway.

ATTENDANCE ASCENDING: The IceMen continue to attract large, loud crowds at their home of the Ford Center, downtown Evansville. The past weekend, in two home games, the IceMen attracted a total of 13, 206 fans; 5,751 on Friday night and 7,544 Saturday night, for a per game average of 6,603. Moreover, through the last five home appearances, the IceMen have clicked the turnstiles to the tune of 33,496 fans for a per game average of 6,700. For the season, the IceMen rank seventh in the league and climbing, averaging 5,212 fans per game.

"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 goaltender Paul Karpowich and defenseman T.J. Miller. "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light," Monday night from 7:00 pm to 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: The past weekend, the IceMen broached the month of February with a brief two games in two nights homestand at the Ford Center. Dividing the two outings with a 2(1-1-0) record, the IceMen were buoyant and resilient on Friday night, erasing three 1-goal deficits to eventually overtake first place Cincinnati 5-4 in the OTSO. Nathan Moon (1-1-2)PPG, Anthony Nigro (FG/PPG), Jake Obermeyer (GTG) and Josh Beaulieu (GTG) were the victors' sharpshooters with Todd Robinson assisting twice. In the OTSO, the IceMen outgoaled the Cyclones, 1-0 as Dylan Clarke made connection on the lone goal of the OTSO while goalkeeper Paul Dainton was impeccably perfect, repelling all 5 Cincinnati shots. Saturday night, the IceMen could not secure the lead after Josh Beaulieu delivered the game's FG on the power play early in the second period as Elmira ambushed the "Icers," 2-1.

FRONTING FEBRUARY: With their thrilling 5-4 OTSO triumph Friday night against first place Cincinnati, the IceMen, for a fourth consecutive month, opened the new month with a victory. At the same time, it halted an IceMen 4-game losing streak which duplicated their longest of this current campaign. For the overall season, Evansville's record stands at 48(17-27-4) for 38-points. Since the All-Star break, their record is 5(1-4-0); since the start of the season's second-half; 12(5-6-1); since the beginning of the New Year; 14(6-7-1). Longest win streak of the season has been 3-in a row; longest undefeated skein has been 6(4-0-2) and 4(3-0-1). The longest winless stretch has been 7(0-6-1) mirroring the initial 7-games of the regular season. The monthly marks: October 7(0-6-1); November 14(6-8-0); December 13(5-6-2); January 12(5-6-1); February 2(1-1-0).

HOMESTEAD STORY: Launching the month of February with a 2(1-1-0) two-game homestand, the IceMen have now played the most home games in the ECHL with 28. Their overall mark is 28(12-16-0) for 24-points in the league standings. When they outlasted Cincinnati Friday night in the OTSO, the IceMen dissolved a 2-game losing spell at home. Last 4 at home: 4(1-3-0); last 6 at home; 6(2-4-0). Since the All-Star break; 3(1-2-0); in the second-half; 8(4-4-0); since the New Year; 9(5-4-0). The longest win streaks on home ice have been 4-in a row and 3-consecutively. Longest home losing streak has been 5-in a row which represent the first 5-home games of the season.

ROAD BALANCE CHALLENGE: The IceMen embark on an extended three game road expedition this week in search of a more winning balance abroad. For the season, the foreign ice warfare log reads a record of 20(5-11-4). They are 4(1-2-1) in their last quartet of acts away from home bay. The IceMen have managed a mere one road victory since Thanksgiving weekend back on November 24th when they derailed Atlantic Division runaway front-running Reading, 4-2. The lone success in enemy territory since that date was back on January 12th in Elmira where the IceMen prevailed, 4-3 in OT. The last 11 on the road; 1(1-7-3); last 13(2-8-3). The longest winless spell; 8(0-5-3); since the All-Star break; 2(0-2-0); since the second-half; 4(1-2-1); since the New Year; 5(1-3-1).

DVISISIONAL DIARY: Entering February, the IceMen have not yet attained a .500 or overall winning record against any of the divisions comprising their own Eastern Conference of the ECHL. Within their own North Division alignment, the IceMen have compiled a record of 29(12-14-3). They recently completed a stretch of 7-consecutive games against the North, posting a mark of 7(2-5-0). Stepping outside of their divisional boundaries, the IceMen have compiled a combined record of 19(5-13-1); against the Atlantic Division; 12(3-8-1); against the South Division; 7(2-5-0).

MAJOR MARQUEE MARKSMEN: Left wing Josh Beaulieu 48(20-23-43) and center Todd Robinson 40(3-39-42) have climbed into the top 20 scoring elite in the ECHL. Robinson tops the league in total assists with 39 and PPA with 22 and is circuit third in PP/Points, also with 22. Beaulieu's 10-PPG tie for third most in the loop and his 5-GWG are league-wide sixth highest.

INSISTENCE ON CONSISTENCE: Left wing Josh Beaulieu has truly emerged as one of the ECHL's premiere players and performers. In the past two-game weekend, the Comber, Ontario sixth year pro sizzled a goal in each game. In Friday night's spellbinding and riveting 5-4 come-from-behind OTSO triumph over rival Cincinnati, "Beau" delivered the key, touch-in-the-clutch GTG in early third period action to force the extra session as he was named the game's #2 Star. Then on Saturday night, he scored the game's FG on the power play to, again, achieve #2 Star honors. He is currently riding the rising rapids of a 7-game point-scoring streak which represents the second longest point-scoring skein for the IceMen thus far this season; last 7(5-3-8). In his last 23-games; 23(9-15-24). Beaulieu is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Player of the Week.

PERSISTING IN ASSISTING: Captain Todd Robinson continues to wear the crown of pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot for the Evansville squadron. Through 40-games, "T. Rob" has been virtually averaging an assist each game, amassing 39-such arrangements. In his last 7-games; 7(1-9-10); last 14-games; 14(2-15-17). He crafted two more assists the past Friday night in the IceMen 5-4 OTSO triumph over first place Cincinnati.

RATIN' DAINTON: IceMen goaltender Paul Dainton posted his third victory since his assignment to Evansville by NHL parent club Columbus through AHL Springfield. The erstwhile UMass-Amherst standout was superb, specifically in the OTSO of his team's triumph over divisional foe, Cincinnati on Friday night at the Ford Center. The third year pro brushed aside all five bids from the Cyclones to preserve and post the extra session success at the expense of the Cincinnatians. Dainton is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

DYLAN DAZZLES: Second-year left wing Dylan Clarke donned the scoring hero's robes on Friday night in his team's electrifying 5-4 OTSO triumph at the expense of first place Cincinnati. The All-American standout from SUNY-Plattsburgh fired the sole goal in the OTSO to collect the conquest in the contest for the "Men of the Igloo." Clarke was hailed and heralded the game's #1 Star. Since his arrival on the IceMen hockey scene, the Belleville, Ontario product has averaged a point a game; 26(9-17-26) with 2-GWG and 1-OTSO/GWG.

SPECIAL SPARK: The IceMen special teams continue to be the most luminous and lustrous in this maiden voyage ECHL campaign. Both the power play and penalty-killing outfits have been a model of consistency and productivity all season long. In recent action, the power play is germinating and percolating to the tune of 3 for the last 8; 37.5% proficiency rating. Moreover, it is 5 for the last 17; 29.4% and 8 for the last 27; 29.6% conversion ratio. At the same time, not to be over-shadowed is the team's shorthand band. Presently, Evansville has defused the last 17-consecutive enemy man advantages; 17 for the last 17; 100%. Furthermore, the opposition is only 4 for the last 55 for an efficiency marking of a brilliant 92.7%.

THE MILESTONES ZONE: The IceMen made history the past Friday night as they played in their first-ever OTSO game at their home of the Ford Center as they defeated Cincinnati in the extra session, 5-4. Since moving into Ford Center at the inception of the 2011-12 season, the IceMen had been involved in 10-consecutive OTSO affairs on foreign ice. Josh Beaulieu (44-47-91) is 9-points away from the IceMen 100. Dylan Clarke (93) is 7-points shy of pro career 100. Kevin Baker (243) is 7-assists away from pro career 250. Mark Cody (193) is 7-games from 200. Jim McKenzie (289) is 11-games from pro career 300. T.J. Miller (94) is 6-games short of 100 as a pro. Josh Beaulieu is the lone IceMen player to play in all 48-games this season. Head Coach Rich Kromm (389) is 11-wins away from #400.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the IceMen score 4 or more, their record is 15(14-1-0). When the IceMen do score exactly 4-goals in a game, their record is perfect at 10(10-0-0). There have been 7-games this season when the IceMen have scored 2 or more PPG. Goaltender Paul Karpowich has started 8 of the IceMen last 10-games, posting a mark of 8(2-5-1) and a GAA of 2.75. The IceMen have won 3-in a row in extra time games; OT: last 2(2-0-0); OTSO; last 1(1-0-0). The IceMen are 19(14-2-3) when entering the third period with the lead. They are 16(9-5-2) when holding the lead after the first period.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH THE ICEMEN AT KALAMAZOO 6:00 PM

The IceMen and the Wings will collide for the eighth time thus far this season and the fourth time at Wings Stadium where the IceMen are still winless at 3(0-2-1). In fact, in their last visit to lower West Michigan, the IceMen were humbled in a7-3 somber and sobering scenario as the Wings erupted for 4-PPG and 1-SHG in the convincing conquest. In the last actual clash of the North Division foes, at the Ford Center, back on January 18th, the IceMen prevailed in OT, 4-3 on a Kevin Baker PPG at 2:48 of the 5:00 extra session. From the Evansville perspective, the IceMen are 7(3-3-1) against the Kalamazooans.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH THE ICEMEN AT SOUTH CAROLINA 6:00 PM

Evansville makes its first ever sojourn to North Charleston in the second and final meeting of the season for the two Eastern Conference inter-divisional squads. The IceMen have laid claim to a 1-game to none advantage on the strength of an exciting 2-1 victory verdict secured back on November 10th at the Ford Center. The IceMen and the Stingrays are two of the three lowest scoring teams in the league with the South Carolinians ranked 21st and the IceMen 22nd in the 23-teams' circuit.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH THE ICEMEN AT GWINNETT 6:00 PM

This will also be Evansville's first-ever journey to Gwinnett, Georgia as the IceMen and the Gladiators square-off for the fourth and final time this season. The Gwinnett club has dominated, sweeping all three of the previous contests in Evansville. After leading the South Division for the preponderance of the season, the Gladiators have stagnated in recent action, posting a 11(3-6-2) mark over the past 11-games.

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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