Evansville IceMen Weekly

Published on November 6, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


THE ICEMEN MAJESTICS: It was yet another banner week for the second year AA/CHL Evansville IceMen, both on and off the ice. Under the direction of General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen complete the sweep of two games in two nights, highlighted by their great opening night success on Saturday night against the Fort Wayne Komets. Evansville will commence the latest new week of the 2011-12 Central Hockey League season as one of only two remaining teams still undefeated as its 4(3-0-1) attests. In garnering 7 of a possible 8-points at this early stage of the season, the IceMen presently reside in third place in the Turner Conference standings, having the potential luxury of significant games in hand on the only two teams superior to them. The IceMen of Evansville are 6-points back of the lone other CHL unblemished team, the Missouri Mavericks 7(6-0-1)13, with 3-games in hand. In surging to within 2-points of second place Rapid City 6(4-1-1)9, the hometown team is looking at 2-games in hand on the South Dakota Rush. Evansville is maintaining a slight 1-point advantage over fourth place Dayton with 1-game in hand on the Gems who the IceMen will tangle with in a 3-game series in as many nights this weekend. "The Kromminator Crew" will sojourn to Dayton for a pair of encounters on Friday and Saturday nights before hosting the Gems on Sunday at 5:00 pm in the new fabulous Ford Center.

HISTORY MAKING MAGIC AT THE FORD CENTER: The IceMen long-awaited opening night at their new home of the downtown Evansville fabulous Ford Center was everything that was expected and so much more. A near capacity throng of 8,722 witnessed Evansville pro hockey and sports history made as the home team did not disappoint in an impressive 3-1 victory verdict over its principal archenemies, the Fort Wayne Komets. Left wing Josh Beaulieu will have his name forever immortalized as the fifth year pro scored the first-ever goal on Ford Center ice at the 2:42 of the opening period on an IceMen power play thrust. It was the first of a pair of strikes including the GWG stoked by "Bo" who also assisted on linemate Sean O'Connor's PPG for a masterful 3-points enormous performance. Beaulieu was named the game's #1 Star.

ICEMEN GIVEAWAY SUNDAY: This Sunday, November 13th when the IceMen culminate a 3-games in 3-nights series against conference foe Dayton, the IceMen organization will present yet another great giveaway. The first 1,000 youngsters will receive a sharp IceMen Youth Jersey courtesy of Coca-Cola. It's the IceMen second giveaway day in as many home dates at this embryonic stage of the season.

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT": It's another lively, fun and entertaining edition of the IceMen hockey fans very own two-hour radio show. "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light," live from Show-Me's East on WEOA-AM 1400 and 1400amweoa.com. "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli will welcome special guests, left wing Josh Beaulieu and right wing John Ronan. The IceMen radio show is presented every Monday night from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

UNDEFEATED FEAT: Through the initial three weeks of the 2011-12 CHL campaign, the IceMen remain undefeated with a superlative record of 4(3-0-1), having collected 7 of a possible 8-points in the Turner Conference standings. Including the latter part of last season as well as this pre-season, the men of ice hockey in the Tri-State are riding the crest of a 9-game unsullied skein at 9(7-0-2). They are 13(8-1-4) in their last 13-starts. Monthly returns: October 2(1-0-1); November 2(2-0-0).

HOME DOME DAZZLE: Enjoying the major success of their 3-1 home opening night dismissal of archrival Fort Wayne, the IceMen, including late last season, have expanded their unbeaten streak on home ice to 7(4-0-3). In their last dozen dates on the home front, their record stands at a strong and stellar 12(6-2-4).

THE INVASION NATION: On the strength of their convincing 4-1 triumph the past Friday night at Bloomington, IL, the IceMen capped their season-broaching 3-game road expedition undefeated at 3(2-0-1), earning 5 of a possible 6-points. In vanquishing the Bloomington club for a fourth consecutive time dating back to last season and a third straight time in the Illinois hamlet, Evansville's pro hockey forces swelled their unbeaten streak abroad to 6-games at 6(5-0-1).

CONFERENCE COMPENDIUM: Thus far, the IceMen have played 4-games this season with all 4 of those coming against their fellow fractious foes from their own Turner Conference. They are 4(3-0-1) within the conference. The breakdown: Fort Wayne 3(2-0-1); Bloomington 1(1-0-0).

GOAL PATROL PATENT: Defensively, the IceMen have been the utter masters of their divine province as they have grudgingly surrendered a scant 6-GA in 4-games for a GAA of 1.50. They are the #1 ranked defensive team in the league, having yet to allot more than 3-GA in a single game. In fact, through their first 4-games, the IceMen GA yield has been 0-GA, 3-GA, 1-GA and 1-GA with 1-GA occurring during the OTSO competition. This past weekend, the kinetic Kromm contingent was especially frugal in permitting a menial 2-GA total in 2-victories of 4-1 and 3-1, outgoaling the opponents, 7-2.

TOP CROP CRAFTSMEN: Center Todd Robinson has ascended augustly to second in the CHL in scoring with a prolific 12-points in 4-games on 4(2-10-12). Robinson's 10-assists and 4-PPA tie him for #1 in the league in both of those categories. His linemates, Josh Beaulieu (4) and Sean O'Connor (4) are tied for runner-up in the league in goal-scoring enterprise. Beaulieu ranks third in the loop in goal-scoring scoring percentage at 4/9 and .444 and tied for seventh overall in league-wide point-productivity, 4(4-4-8). Pier-Olivier Pelletier tops all CHL goaltenders with a GAA of a minuscule 1.30. His .952 SPCT ranks a lofty third best in the CHL.

TODD TOPS TEAM: Todd Robinson is off to yet another magnificent start in his illustrious pro career. The 13-year pro has engineered 4-conecutive multiple point games in as many starts this early season, averaging a brilliant 3-points per game; 4(2-10-12). "T. Rob" has been instrumental and integral, remark-ably, in 12 of his team's first 15-goals this season or an astronomical 80%. Dating back to last regular season, the IceMen pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot has extended his personal point-scoring streak to a bountiful 22-games in which he has amassed an amazing 47-points.

THE "BO SHOW" GROWS: Fifth year left wing Josh Beaulieu continues to thrive offensively through his club's initial 4-games. Ranked tied for seventh in the CHL scoring derby, the former NHL Philadelphia Flyers draft pick has masterfully composed a season opening 4-game point streak with 4(4-4-8). Included in his early season output are two consecutive 2-goal performances against archrival Fort Wayne. Beaulieu has also contributed 1-PPG, 1-GWG and 2-FG along with 3-PPA.

THE "OC" SAGA: Fourth year right wing Sean O'Connor has sustained his torrid start to the season with some goal-scoring exploits of excellence. The past weekend, he connected on 3-goals in 2-games spiced by a zesty 2-goal first period performance in Friday night's 4-1 trumping of the Blaze in Bloomington. The former Fort Wayne Komets' forward fired power play goals in each contest over the weekend, delivering the insurance goal on the extra man band in Saturday night's home opening night 3-1 taming of his erstwhile team. O'Connor's 2-PPG pace the IceMen.

GOALTENDING DEFENDING: The goaltending tandem of Pier-Olivier Pelletier and rookie Bryan Gillis has been paramount and tantamount to the IceMen's extraordinary early season success. In his official pro premiere Friday night at Bloomington, Gillis was virtually air-tight in rebuffing 27 of 28 shots in spearheading the IceMen to an emphatic 4-1 decision over the Blaze. The Gillis masterpiece was only the precursor to four-year veteran Pier-Olivier Pelletier's 21-saves' #3 Star performance in leading his team to a 3-1 triumph over the Fort Wayners the following night. The Gillis/Pelletier combo rebuked 48 of 50-shots for a SPCT of a scintillating .960.

SPECIAL TEAMS TONIC: The IceMen special teams have been adept and adroit at this juncture of the season. The past weekend, the power play was 3-9 including 2-5 in Saturday night's home opening victory over the K's. It marked the second time in 4-games this season that the IceMen have connected on 2-PPG in the same game. For the season, the power play is ranked 4th in the CHL at 5-21; 23.8 proficiency. Meanwhile, the penalty-killing outfit has risen meteorically to #1 in the CHL on the strength of nullifying the league's previous top two extra man bands in the form of Bloomington and Fort Wayne, rendering those two teams an ineffectual 0-9. Overall, Evansville has defused and disarmed 11-consecutive man advantages afforded the adversary (11-11). For the season, the IceMen are a sterling 17-19 for an efficiency rating of 89.5%. The IceMen also share the league-leadership in SHG with 2.

THE MAVEN OF MILSETONES: Sean O'Connor (196) is 4-games away from pro career 200. Philippe Plante (393) is 7-points away from pro career 400 and (292) 8-assists away from career 300. Matt Gens (289) is 11-games from 300. With his 7-PIM Saturday night, Jordan Little (702) has surpassed 700-PIM in his pro career. Steven Makway (1,087) is 13-PIM away from 1,100. Todd Robinson (1,146) is 4-points shy of 1,150. Robinson has collected 833-assists in 809-pro career games.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen are the second most penalized team in the CHL, averaging 27-minutes per game. Including the pre-season, the IceMen have scored the FG in all 6 of their outings, posting a mark of 6(5-0-1). Also including the pre-season, the IceMen have yet to allow a GA in the first period, outscoring the adversary, 9-0. Including the pre-season, the IceMen have outgoaled opponents in the third period, 8-1. They have outscored the opposition in the first and third periods combined, 17-1. In all 6 games this season, the IceMen have achieved the lead after first period 6(5-0-1). The IceMen rank #2 in the CHL in GF with a GFA of 3.75.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH THE ICEMEN AT DAYTON 6:00 PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH THE ICEMEN AT DAYTON 6:00 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH DAYTON AT THE ICEMEN 5:00 PM

The IceMen and the Gems will lock horns in a 3-game weekend series in as many days, beginning with a pair of collisions at Dayton on Friday and Saturday nights. Last season, the two teams tussled 15-times with the IceMen posting a 15(5-4-6) mark. They were 8(4-1-3) at home and 7(1-3-3) at Hara Arena in Dayton.

THE ICEMEN ON WEOA-AM 1400 AND THE ICEMEN RADIO NETWORK: Evansville and the Tri-State, your pro hockey team plays here! For a second consecutive season all of the IceMen game broadcasts, home and away, play-by-play, all the way are on flagship WEOA-AM 1400 and the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com and the IceMen radio network. WMSK-AM 1550 in Morganfield, KY also is there on the air for every game while WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7, Jasper, IN carry a select schedule of games numbering between 23-30.

THE ICEMEN DAILY UPDATES ARE EVERYWHERE!: Continuing with their expended coverage this second season, the IceMen daily update reports can be found on 14-different radio stations throughout the Tri-State region including flagship WEOA-AM 1400 Monday through Friday at 4:20 pm. Listen as well for the IceMen daily reports on the Townsquare Media family of stations; WGBF-FM 103.1 at 4:40 pm; WGBF-AM 1280 at 4:50 pm; WKDQ-FM 99.5 at 4:35 pm; WJLT-FM 105.3 at 4:45 pm; WDKS-FM 106.1 at 4:35 pm; WBKR-FM 92.5 (Owensboro) 4:40 pm; WOMI-AM 1490 (Owensboro) 4:50 pm. Elsewhere, on WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7 in Jasper, IN at 8:20 am, 12:20 pm and 4:20 pm; WSON-AM 860 and WSON-FM 96.5, in Henderson, KY at 4:30 pm as well as on WMSK-AM 1550 at 7:30 am and 4:30 pm and WMSK-FM 101.3, Morganfield, KY at 4:25 pm.

THE ICEMEN TICKET INFORMATION: IceMen single game tickets for all 33-home games are now on sale at the Ford Center Ticket Office and at Ticketmaster.com or by contacting the IceMen offices for various season ticket plans and great group rates at (812) 412-GOAL (4625).

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central