Evansville IceMen Weekly

Published on November 14, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


THE ICEMEN MAJESTICS: After the first five weeks of the 2011-12 Central Hockey League season, the most torrid team in the league is the Evansville IceMen. Under the direction of second-year General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the men of Evansville pro hockey renowned remain the last and lone undefeated team in the league. Having swept a 3-games in 3-days weekend series against Turner Conference foe Dayton, the IceMen have launched the campaign riding the rising rapids of an impressive 7-game unblemished skein at 7(6-0-1), having accrued 13 of a possible 14-points on a near perfect record in the CHL Turner Conference alignment. Presently enjoying a 5-game win streak as well, the men wearing navy, sky and white have surged augustly into a share of second place in the conference with the Rapid City Rush, 10(6-3-1)13, enjoying the potential luxury of 3-games in hand on the South Dakota squadron. Moreover, the hometown team has crept within 2-points of first place Missouri 10(7-2-1)15, also with 3-games in hand on the Mavericks. Evansville has advanced 5-points superior to fourth place Fort Wayne 8(4-4-0)8 with 1-game in hand on their archenemies. It sets the stage for the upcoming week's action for the coached Kromm crew as the IceMen face 3-games in 3-nights beginning Thursday night when the Fort Wayners come to town on Thanksgiving "Turkey Shoot Night" and "Magnet Schedule Night." Then on Friday and Saturday nights, the IceMen will lock horns with the Missourians for a two-game home and home series with first place, perhaps, the ultimate grand prize. The Mavericks are here on Friday night to cap the IceMen current 3-game home stand at the new downtown fabulous Ford Center on IceMen "Trading Cards Night," "Pink the Rink Night" and "Ladies Night." The IceMen will cap the week's workload with a reciprocal expedition to Independence for an encore engagement against the Mavericks.

MORE PRIMO PREMIUM PROMOS: The IceMen are presenting yet more extra special promotional activities this week at their new home of the downtown Ford Center. When they renew rancor with Fort Wayne on Thursday night, the IceMen will present a special Thanksgiving "Turkey Shoot" for some lucky fans who will have the opportunity to win a turkey for Thanksgiving. Also on Thursday night, it will be Swat Pest Control IceMen "Magnet Schedule Night" with IceMen magnet schedules given away. On Friday night in the early season showdown bout against Missouri, it will be IceMen "Trading Cards Night" with the first set of IceMen trading cards given away to the first 1,000 fans, compliments of Buffalo Wild Wings. On that same night, it will be the annual `Pink the Rink Night" and "Ladies Night."

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT": It's yet 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, goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier and center Mario Boilard. The IceMen radio show is presented every Monday night from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

CREST WITH ZEST: Through their 3-games in 3-days sweep the past weekend against conference rival Dayton, the IceMen have elevated their season-opening undefeated streak to a masterful 7-games at 7(6-0-1). Including the pre-season, they are 9(8-0-1) in 9-dates. When incorporating the latter part of last season and this year's pre-season schedule, the IceMen are presently riding the crest of a supreme 12-game unbeaten streak at 12(10-0-2); they are 15(10-1-4) in the last 15-decisions. The monthly records: October 2(1-0-1); November 5(5-0-0). The IceMen are presently enjoying a 5-game win streak which is currently the longest in the league and the second longest thus far this season in the CHL.

WINNING CHORD AT THE FORD: On the impetus of their dominant 5-2 victory verdict Sunday against Dayton, the IceMen have advanced and enhanced their home mark to 2(2-0-0), outscoring their guests, 8-3. Dating back to last campaign, the Evansville Icers have stretched their unblemished skein on home ice to 8-straight dates at 8(5-0-3). In their last 13-home appearances, they are riding high in the saddle with a 13(7-2-4) composite record.

ROAD SHOW GLOW: The past weekend, the IceMen swept a pair of games 24-hours apart at historical Hara Arena in Dayton by replica results of 3-2. In the process, they have extended their foreign ice log to an unsullied 5(4-0-1) for the regular season and 7(6-0-1) including the pre-season slate. In fact, dating back to late last season, Evansville and the Tri-State's pro hockey team has upgraded its unbeaten abroad streak to 8-games at 8(7-0-1).

TURNER TANGLING: Thus far this season, the IceMen have played all 7 of their contests against their intra-conference membership, posting a dynamic, undefeated 7(6-0-1) mark, accumulating 13 of a possible 14-points in a near early season bid for perfection. Dayton 3(3-0-0); Fort Wayne 3(2-0-1); Bloomington1 (1-0-0). Evansville is actually playing its first 14-games within its own Turner Conference and will not tackle a Berry Conference opponent until early December.

TOP SPOT SPARKLING: At this juncture of their incipient season, the IceMen are exceling at both ends of the ice in adept and adroit fashion. Offensively, they rank a lofty #3 in the circuit, having connected on 26-GF in 7-games for a GFA of 3.71. On defense, the IceMen have been even better, ranking #1 in the CHL with a GAA of an avarice 1.71. The IceMen have allotted a scant 12-GA in 7-games for a GAA of a miserly, microscopic 1.71. Including the pre-season, in 9-games the GA yield is still at 12 for a GAA of a minuscule 1.33.

FIRST-THIRD THRIVING: Through all 9-games that they have played in both their undefeated pre-season and undefeated early regular season, the Tri-State team based in Evansville has outscored its embattled opponents by a combined 25-6 overall. In the first period, the IceMen have been awesome and then-some with a mammoth margin of 14-1; 11-1 in the regular season alone. Meanwhile in the fateful final frame, the IceMen continue to thrive, outgoaling the adversaries, 11-5.

DYNAMIC DELEGATION NATION: This week, Todd Robinson 7(2-12-14) is tied for 3rd in CHL league-wide scoring while Josh Beaulieu 7(4-6-10) is ranked #22 among the league's elite. Robinson's 12-assists rank runner-up and his 6-PPA are foremost in the loop. Brian Bicek (3) tops the league in SHG. On defense, Matt Gens 7(3-3-6) and Steve Makway 7(1-5-6) are tied for defense scoring 10th with Philippe Plante sharing 13th place defense distinction with 6(1-4-5). Plante's +9 rating ranks CHL circuit 2nd among the blue line brigade. In the goaltending department, Pier-Olivier Pelletier remains #1 with an unbeaten record of 5(4-0-1) with his 1.58 GAA and .949 SPCT both tops in the CHL.

SLICK NICK THE QUICK: Veteran Swedish center Nicklas Lindberg, the 9-year pro and defending IceMen scoring titlist relished his first truly productive week of the campaign in his second IceMen season. Somewhat dormant at the outset of the season, "Slick Nick" came out of hockey hibernation over the weekend with 6-points in 3-games on 2-goals, 4-assists. The IceMen reigning scoring king from 2010-11 climaxed the weekend with a crescendo, firing a pair of first period goals 2:34 apart in his team's 5-2 dismissal of Dayton on Sunday. Named the game's #1 Star, the Stockholm, Sweden product also assisted twice including the primary assist on linemate Brian Bicek's second period breakaway GWG. For the season, he is 6(2-5-7).

POCKET ROCKET IN THE SOCKET: With lightning coming out of his skates in his club's 3-game weekend sweep of Dayton, the turbo-charged left wing Brian Bicek collected 5-points in 3-games on 3-goals and 2-assists. "Ice-Bice-Baby" was brilliant Friday night in the series opening contest, scoring on two spellbinding, electrifying breakaway SHG in a rapid-fire fashion :17 apart to eradicate a 1-0 deficit and catapult the IceMen into a 2-1 advantage. Heralded the game's #1 Star, the "Pocket Rocket" spurred Evansville to a 3-2 decision. The former WMU standout culminated the week's activities with the GWG, again, on a breakaway before assisting on linemate Nicklas Lindberg's second goal of the night. All 3 of his weekend goals against Dayton were by way of the breakaway. For the season; 7(5-2-7) with is 5-goals topping the team.

THE MATT MIGHT: Six year veteran defenseman Matt Gens is enjoying an excellent start with his new employers, the IceMen. The past weekend, he delivered the GWG/PPG in the third period Friday night at Dayton in the game one, 3-2 triumph. On Sunday, he capped the IceMen 5-goal full frontal assault with his second goal in 3-games in the 5-2 triumph. Currently on a 4-game point streak, Gens is 4(2-2-4) in that span.

PHILIPPE-UP: Veteran defenseman Philippe Plante is savoring one of the best starts in his illustrious 13-year pro career. In 6-games, he has engineered 5-points on 1-goal, 4-assists with his one goal fired in OT on the power play Saturday night in his squad's 3-2 OT triumph in Dayton.

ON THE SCHNIDE RIDE: Diminutive but dynamo defenseman Nick Schneider enjoyed one of the best days ever in his brief pro career in his team's 5-2 Sunday victory over Dayton. The former U-Conn standout authored 3-assists while attaining a magnificent +4 rating which equaled the best single game premium, positive plus of all players in the league at this hour of the season.

BIG MACK MOTORING: Leviathan defenseman Steven Makway is finding his "mojo" at this stage of the season. The 8-year veteran was on the top of his game in the 3-game series sweep of Dayton, essaying back-to-back 2-assists efforts. In his last 2-games, Makway is 2(0-4-4). For the season, he is tied with Matt Gens for the team top spot in scoring from the defense with 7(1-5-6) with an excellent +5 rating.

NETMINDING MYSTICAL: The goaltending combination of Pier-Olivier Pelletier and rookie Bryan Gillis represent the best of the rest in the CHL at this time of the season. In their 3-game sweep at the expense of Dayton, the Pelletier-Gillis combo allowed a measly 6-GA for a GAA of 2.00. For the season, Pelletier's GAA is 1.58 and SPCT .949. In the meantime, Gillis is 2(2-0-0) in as many starts with a GAA of a microscopic 1.45 and SPCT of a glistening .953.

POWER PLAY/PENALTY KILL PINNACLE: The IceMen special teams have been paramount to their meteoric rise to early season prominence and pre-eminence. Both IceMen special teams are ranked #1 in the CHL. The power play has been proficient all season long as reflected with its #1 rating of 9-31; 29%. The power play has been radiating recently, going 4 for the last 7; 57.1%; 6 for the last 14; 42.9% and 7 for the last 17; 41.2%. The penalty-killing cast of characters are also #1 in the league, operating at an extraordinary 94.1% at 32-34, having disarmed the opponents extra man band to the tune of an amazing 26-in succession; 26-26 for a perfect personified 100%. Evansville also tops the league in SHG with 4.

THE MILESTONES MINT: When Sean O'Connor takes the ice this Thursday night on home ice against his former Fort Wayne employer, he will play his 200th pro career game. Brian Bicek (90) is 10-assists from pro career 100. Matt Gens (292) is 8-games away from 300. Philippe Plante (294) is 6-assists from 300. Plante (396) is 4-points from pro career 400. Todd Robinson (1,148) is 2-points from 1,150 in his illustrious 13-year pro career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Through all 9 of their games thus far this season, including the pre-season schedule, the IceMen have attained the lead after the first period. The IceMen have scored the game's FG in 8 of their first 9-games, posting a mark of 9(8-0-1). When he was blanked for the first time this season on Sunday, Todd Robinson saw his masterful 24-game point-scoring streak consisting of 49-points, dating back to last season, come to a halt. Thus far, the IceMen are a perfect 5(5-0-0) in November. All 3 Brian Bicek goals the past weekend against Dayton came on breakaways.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH FORT WAYNE AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

Already the fourth session to be staged by these two warrior-like adversaries and the second consecutively to be waged in Evansville at the new Ford Center. The IceMen lead the series 3(2-0-1) after dispatching the Komets in their home opening night back on November 5th, 3-1. Evansville leads fourth place Fort Wayne by 5-points in the standings.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH MISSOURI AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH THE ICEMEN AT MISSOURI 7:00 PM

Two of the hotter teams in the CHL will clash in a crucial, early-season two game home and home series with first place potentially becoming the grand prize for the ultimate victor. Last season represented an unfounded cause for the IceMen against the high-powered Mavericks as they were humbled not once, but twice in the two meetings. In Independence, the IceMen were humbled, 11-4 and in Evansville, it was an 8-0 domination that left the IceMen reeling.

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 ON THE AIR!!: Continuing with their expanded 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, KY) 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) 421-GOAL (4625).

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