Down 3-0, IceMen Fight Back to Earn a Point

Published on December 21, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


EVANSVILLE, Ind.- At the start of the third period, the Evansville IceMen, presented by Coors Light. trailed the Fort Wayne Komets 3-0. The IceMen rallied with three goals in the third period to force a shootout. The Komets pulled out the win in the shootout, but the IceMen (8-13-2-2, 20 points) picked up a key point to move into a tie for fifth place in the North Division.

Evansville will sit just four points back of a playoff spot in the North Division at the holiday break. Fort Wayne's victory gives them a league best 21 wins and 43 points at the break.

A little over 90 seconds into the game, Fort Wayne took the lead. Thomas Frazee intercepted a clearing pass in the Evansville end and slapped a shot past Chris Driedger to put the Komets up 1-0.

Two minutes later, the IceMen deficit grew. Shawn Szydlowski scored on a one-on-one opportunity with Driedger. The Komets chased Driedger when it looked like a third goal had scored. The goal was eventually overturned as it hit the cross bar and never crossed the line.

Branden Komm took over in net for Evansville. The rookie out of Bentley University denied 17 of the 18 shots he saw in relief.

In the second period, Fort Wayne added to its lead as James Martin put in a power play slap shot. Martin's fifth of the season ended a string of 18 consecutive penalty kills by Evansville.

The IceMen turned it around in the third period. Five minutes into the final frame, Jim McKenzie deflected a Matt Lowry shot past Pat Nagle to break up the shootout. McKenzie's first goal with the IceMen cut the Komet lead to 3-1. Daniel Johnston earned his first assist as an IceMen on the play.

Four minutes later Evansville found the back of the net again. Kale Kerbashian charged to the front of the net and put a shot on Nagle. The Komet goalie made the initial save, but Patrick Kennedy potted the puck on a rebound. Kennedy's seventh of the season brought the IceMen back within one.

With clock ticking under the 10 second mark, Peter Sakaris fired a shot at the net. Nagle made the stop, but Kerbashian found the rebound. Kerbashian slammed the puck past Nagle with seven seconds left on the clock to send it to overtime. Guy Lepine picked up an assist on the play that tied the game at the three.

Neither team scored in the extra frame so the game went to a shootout. The Komets scored three times, while the IceMen only beat Nagle once as Fort Wayne pulled out a 4-3 win.

Kerbashian added to his team lead in points with a goal and an assist. He now has 8 goals and 11 assists on the season. Kerbashian also scored in the shootout.

The IceMen will now begin a much needed holiday break. They will return from this break to host Fort Wayne at home on Friday Dec. 26 Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. It will be Cash and Prizes Night at the Ford Center so stop by for a chance to walk home with some great prizes and maybe some money.

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.

There's still time to become an IceMen season ticket holder. Get your season tickets now to watch every exciting minute of IceMen hockey during the 2014-15 season at a discounted price. To learn more about becoming a season ticket holder, please call an IceMen Account Executive at (812) 421-GOAL (4625) or go to www.evansvilleicemen.com.

Single game tickets are on sale now for all games including this week's games against Fort Wayne at the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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