Curtains Close On 2011-2012 Regular Season
Published on April 9, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
DOWN TO THE WIRE: The Ice is coming off a week where all three games were one-goal affairs and all three match-ups went to overtime and/or a shootout. Daniil Tarasov logged four points (2G, 2A) as Indy downed Chicago 6-5 in a shootout on Wednesday, before the club dropped back-to-back overtime decisions at Team USA U17 and Youngstown. Christian Hilbrich had two goals in Fridays' game in Ann Arbor, while Jon Gillies stopped 37 shots in Youngstown.
DON'T STOP ME NOW: With points in all three games last week, Daniil Tarasov extended his Ice season-high point streak to 11 games. The milestone ties him with Todd McIlrath (04-05) for the second longest streak in franchise history and it stands one game off the all-time record set by John Kemp during the 2007-08 season. During his current stretch, Tarasov has amassed 22 points (11G, 11A) and seven multiple-point efforts. He ranks first in the league in game-winning goals (8) and second in the USHL in points (84) and goals (44).
GOING FOR TWO: All post-season tickets have been punched as the Ice continue the battle for second place and a first-round playoff bye coming into the final week of the season. Indy holds the second-place spot with a three-point lead over Dubuque and can clinch a first-round bye with either a win or a Dubuque loss. Dubuque also finishes the season at home with contests against the Chicago Steel and Muskegon Lumberjacks this Friday and Saturday.
FORM RANKS: Three Icemen were listed on the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings for the 2012 Draft in late June. Jon Gillies was sixth in the final rankings for North American goaltenders while Boo Nieves (#27) and Robbie Baillargeon (#50) were both listed in the top 50 for North American skaters.
PLAYER SAMPLES: Jon Gillies leads USHL goaltenders in wins (29)...Sean Kuraly has points in 12 of his past 13 games and 17 points (3G, 14A) during the stretch...Boo Nieves has points in five of his last six games (2G, 6A)...Ryan Obuchowski is second among USHL defensemen in points (40) and assists (33)...Drew Smolcynski has three points (G, 2A) in his last three games...Indy owns the league's top power play unit (25.0%) and is second in goals per game (3.66).
CHAMPIONSHIP DREAMIN': Paul Carey (07-08) tallied three goals in two games to help Boston College win the 2012 Frozen Four Championship on Saturday. His goal midway through the first period of the championship contest proved to be the game-winner as the Eagles defeated Ferris State 4-1. Carey and former Ice teammate Kyle Bonis (Ferris State) were named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament team.
GETTING' INKED: Former Ice defenseman Ben Blood (07-08) signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators over the weekend. He got his skates wet quickly as the rugged blueliner played in two games and amassed seven penalty minutes for Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2012
- Witek Gets USHL Weekly Nod - Waterloo Black Hawks
- U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Falls to Sweden, 3-2, in Exhibition - U.S. National Team
- Marinaccio, Witek, and Romeo Earn Weekly USHL Awards - USHL
- DeBlouw Rated Highly for Upcoming NHL Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Central Scouting Eyes Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Curtains Close On 2011-2012 Regular Season - Indiana Ice
- Ice Make Coaching Change - Indiana Ice
- Waterloo Black Hawks Name Players of the Week - Waterloo Black Hawks
- NHL Scouting Ranks Two Storm Players - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede Weekly Update - Sioux Falls Stampede
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