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Evansville IceMen Weekly

November 28, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


THE ICEMEN MAJESTICS: In the midst of one of their most grueling stretches of the 2011-12 Central Hockey League season, the Evansville IceMen continue to stay the steady course with an even, consistent, constant approach at this hour of the campaign. Under the direction of second-year General Manager /Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen have been true soldiers and warriors of the game they love, having played 9 of their initial 13-games abroad which will eventually become playing 11 of their first 15-games in hostile territory by the end of this coming week. Presently in the middle of 6-consecutive games on foreign ice, the IceMen have compiled a most representative record of 4(2-2-0) thus far with 2-more sojourns remaining. Despite this less than exemplary and desirable schedule, the IceMen have masterfully maintained first place atop the CHL Turner Conference standings, boasting a mark of 13(9-3-1) totaling 19-points and a winning percentage of a sparkling .731. Having played the fewest home games in the league (4), Evansville's pro hockey team certainly is not devoid of company at its present vanguard address. In fact, a minuscule 3-points distinguish its top spot from the fifth position in the conference. Entering the month of December beginning this week, the IceMen are nursing a fragile 1-point advantage over a pair of formidable, fractious foes; Fort Wayne 14(9-5-0)18 and Missouri 15(8-5-2)18. The Komets are surging, having won 4-in a row and 9(7-2-0) over their last 9-decisions. Rapid City 15(8-6-1)17 is only 2-points behind the hometown team's temple of top spot while Dayton 15(6-5-4)16 is 3-points in arrears. Where the IceMen have another potential advantage is in games played in that they have played the least number of game (13) in the CHL and they have games in hand on all of the aforementioned contenders. This week, the IceMen will finally conclude those 6-consecutive games abroad, trekking to Bloomington on Thursday night and then onto Wichita Friday night before returning home after a 16-day absence from the Ford Center to stage an encore presentation against the Bloomington club this Sunday at 5:00 pm.

AT LONG LAST HOME: Following an extended 16-day hiatus from their home of the new fabulous Ford Center, downtown Evansville, the IceMen touch down for the first time since November 18th when they tangle with the Bloomington Blaze this Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 pm. This Sunday has been designated as "The Great IceMen White-Out Day!" All IceMen fans are urged, exhorted to wear white with Swat Pest Patrol also giving away 500 IceMen white T-shirts on this special day. The IceMen schedule has the promise of being much more favorable in December as the first place club will play 9 of its 13-games on home ice.

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT": Following a one-week hiatus due to the travelogue schedule, "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light" returns this Monday night, November 28th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm live from Show-Me's East on radio flagship home of WEOA-AM 1400 and 1400amweoa.com. This week, Terry Ficorelli's special guests will be IceMen right wing Sean O'Connor and recently-acquired first year pro defenseman Karl Linden.

FIRST PLACE PRIME: The past week, the IceMen traveled to Rapid City, SD where they compiled a 3(1-2-0) mark in a Thanksgiving week holiday series against the Rush. For the season, the IceMen record stands at 13(9-2-1) 19-points with a gaudy .731 winning percentile. In their last 6-games, the IceMen are 6(3-3-0). Dating back to last season and this year's early pre-season, they are 18(13-3-2) in the last 18-verdicts; last 22(14-4-4). The longest win streak of the season has been 5-in succession which matches the second longest across the circuit thus far this season; longest undefeated streak has been a league-wide best 7(6-0-1) mirroring their first 7-games of the current campaign. Monthly records: October 2(1-0-1); Novem-ber 11(8-3-0).

HARDLY HOME: The IceMen have played the least number of home games in the CHL; a grand total of only 4. When at the Ford Center, they have flourished as their 4(3-1-0) record would testify. Dating back to last season, the kinetic "Kromminator" contingent has prospered on home ice; they are 10(6-1-3) in the last 10-chapters written and 15(8-3-4) through the last 15-episodes. Evansville's finest on ice will play just those 4-home games of their initial 15-games overall in this year's schedule.

BUSY BUS LIFE: Including their pre-season slate this year, the IceMen have now played 11 of their first 15-games among the exotic burgs that constitute CHL pro hockey. For the regular season, through 9-excursions, they have achieved an outstanding record of 9(6-2-1). Combining the pre-season; 11(8-2-1). When they trembled at Rapid City in game #1 of their 3-game series there the past week, the IceMen saw their season-opening 6-game undefeated streak severed; 6(5-0-1) in alien territory. Dating back to last season, the IceMen are 13(9-2-2) in their last 13-engagements abroad. The longest unblemished skein away from home bay has been 6(5-0-1); longest win streak has been 4-consecutively; 4(4-0-0).

CONFERENCE CALLING CARD: Thus far this season, the IceMen have played their entire 13-game slate within their own Turner Conference; 13(9-2-1). Evansville will wander beyond the conference campus for the first time this season on Friday night when they travel to Wichita to be hosted by the Berry Conference front-running Thunder. The IceMen first 14-games are against conference foes. The breakdown: Dayton 3(3-0-0); Fort Wayne 4(2-1-1); Missouri 2(2-0-0); Bloomington 1(1-0-0); Rapid City 3(1-2-0).

CREASE POLICE POLISH: As they have since the inception of this season, the IceMen continue with their defense of distinction in the extinction of the opposition's offensive overtures. Through the first 13-games, they have permitted only 33-GA for a GAA of a frugal 2.54. The most GA in a single game has been 5-GA and the IceMen actually won that game the past Friday night in Rapid City, 7-5.

PRIME-TIME PREMIERE: Todd Robinson 13(4-19-23) is tied for #2 in the CHL scoring derby with his 19-assists topping the loop and his 10-PPA tying for the league-leadership. Brian Bicek leads the CHL in SHG with 3; Bicek's 14-minor penalties tie him for #1 in the CHL. Steven Makway 13(2-9-11) is tied for 6th in CHL scoring among defensemen; Philippe Plante 12(3-7-10) is 9th and Matt Gens 13(4-4-8) is 13th. Plante (2) and Gens (2) are tied for the league-lead in GWG/defensemen. Makway's 9-assists tie for 2nd most among the blue line brigade. Plante tops the CHL in SHA with 3 and is #1 in goal-scoring shooting percentage among the back line corps; 3/10; .300. Mario Boilard is #2 in the CHL in PIM for rookies with 37. Boilard (3) and Malcolm Gwilliam (3) are tied for rookie runner-up in majors. In the goaltending department, Pier-Olivier Pelletier ranks 3rd with a 2.43 GAA and .930 SPCT. In the CHL 3-Stars points standings, Todd Robinson ranks 3rd with 17, Pelletier ranks tied for 9th with 14-total points.

"THE T. ROB 5": In his team's spellbinding, spine-tingling, come-from-behind 7-5 victory Friday night in Rapid City, center Todd Robinson was utterly masterful. Earning the game's #1 Star, "T. Rob" fashioned the CHL's first 5-point masterpiece body of work with 1-goal (TBG) and 4-assists (3-PPA/1-SHA). It was the pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot's second 4-assists output which equaled his own CHL league single game-best thus far this season. Robinson has now orchestrated 7-multiple point performances in Evansville's first 13-games.

THE BIG `MAK' KNACK: Eight-year veteran defenseman Steven Makway continues to contribute at both ends of the ice. In his club's 7-5 Friday night success cemented in Rapid City, he authored 3-points including the late TBG/GWG/PPG in the fateful final frame of the same game to shatter the 5-5 saw-off. For the latter 2-games of the South Dakota trilogy, he was 2(1-3-4). Both of "Big Mak's" goals thus far this season have smacked of being of the touch-in-the-clutch variety with both strikes stoked on the road in the third period to seal the deal for the first place club.

THE "JR" STAR: Another 8-year veteran, right wing John Ronan took and shook the slumber from his lumber during the three-game series in the Black Hills. The U. of Maine product, Ronan ripped a pair of PPG 4:42 apart in the IceMen 5-goal lusty second period assault in spearheading the 7-5 comeback victory verdict. For his offensive exploits of excellence, he was named the game's #2 Star. For the season, he is 13(4-3-7) with a strong +4 rating.

GOAL GATE GUARDIAN "GILLY": Although he did surrender 5-GA, the most that he has allotted in a single game in his brief pro career, goaltender Bryan Gillis sustained his mastery and sorcery as the IceMen soul of goal. The undefeated 4(4-0-0) human puck detour was at his best when it counted the most. With his team attempting to preserve a rather tenuous, teetering 6-5 lead late in the third period Friday night at Rapid City, the rookie phenom stifled and stymied the Rush' all-time scoring kingpin, Les Reaney on a penalty shot with 5:37 remaining in regulation time to secure the ultimate 7-5 triumph. Combining the pre-season, Gillis is an impeccable 5(5-0-0) with 4 of those wins coming on the road and 2-more being earned in overtime.

THE 55-5 DRIVE: In their Friday night comeback 7-5 triumph in Rapid City, "5" became the operative magic number for the victors from Evansville. The IceMen exploded for 5-second period goals to eradicate 2-0 and 3-1 deficits. They were a prodigious 4-4 on the power play during the 5-goal plundering, fired an IceMen record-equaling 5-PPG for the entire contest and Todd Robinson engineered 5-points on 1-goal and 4-assists.

UNEVEN STRENGTH STRONG: The IceMen power play has maintained its magical mastery through the initial 13-games of the season. Currently rated circuit second, the IceMen are 15-54; 27.8 proficiency rating. They are 10 for the last 30; 30%; 13 for the last 40; 32.5%. The penalty-killing cast continues to rank at the circuit's summit, operating at 85.7% efficiency rating with the opponents being only 9-63. Evansville has allowed the least PPGA while their 5-SHG tie for second most in the CHL. The IceMen are 14 for the last 16 with the shorthand band for a mark of 87.5%.

MARVELS IN MILESTONES: Matt Gens (298) is 2-games away from pro career 300. Philippe Plante (795) is 5-games from pro career 800; (297) and 3-assists from 300. Brian Bicek (93) is 7-assists away from pro career 100. Nicklas Lindberg (391) is 9-points shy of 400. Mario Boilard scored his first-ever pro goal Saturday night in the IceMen 3-1 setback inflicted by the Rush in Rapid City.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen December schedule appears more promising with 9 of their 13-games at home. The IceMen are a perfect 8(8-0-0) when entering the third period with the lead. They are unsullied when they own the lead after the first period at 8(7-0-1). The IceMen have outshot their opponents in only 3 of their first 13-games and are 3(3-0-0) when they do so. Through their first 4-games of 6-consecutive outings on the road, the IceMen are 4(2-2-0). Until their 3-game series at Rapid City, the IceMen had dominated the first period, outscoring their opponents, 17-3 overall and 10-2 on the road. The Rush outgoaled them in the first period, 5-1.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST THE ICEMEN AT BLOOMINGTON 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE ICEMEN 5:00 PM

In the lone previous battle of the two teams, back on November 4th in the Illini hamlet, the IceMen prevailed, 4-1. It was Evansville's second straight triumph in Bloomington this season including its 2-0 shutout win during the pre-season, October 16th. Dating back to last season, the IceMen have won 4-in succession over the re-named Blaze and are 5(4-0-1) in the last quintet of sessions staged. In Bloomington, the IceMen have won 3-in a row and are unbeaten in the last 4-journeys there at 4(3-0-1).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND THE ICEMEN AT WICHITA 7:00 PM

Although this is Evansville's second AA/CHL campaign, this will be the first time ever that the hometown team will face the Thunder. In their fledgling franchise season of last year, despite the fact that both teams played in the same conference, they never clashed. The IceMen and the Thunder are scheduled to lock antlers 6-times this season with 4 of those games to be played in Evansville with this one being one of two to be played in Wichita.

THE ICEMEN ON YOUR SMART PHONES AND I-PHONES: IceMen fans who own Smart Phones or I-Phones now can take the IceMen game broadcasts and Monday night "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light" radio show with them wherever they go. For more information, visit the IceMen website at www.evansvilleicemen.com or WEOA-AM 1400 website at 1400amweoa.com.

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, KY) 4:50 pm. Elsewhere, on WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7 in Jasper 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).



Central Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2011


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