Evansville IceMen Weekly

December 12, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


THE ICEMEN MAJESTICS: Confronting a challenging slate of 3-games in 3-days the past weekend compounded by some less than exemplary and desirable travel, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League continued to perform their craft with poise and composure. Under the doctrine as scribed by second-year General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen compiled a solid 3(2-1-0) weekend workload record with the two triumphs garnered on home ice at their new home of the Ford Center and the single setback being incurred in Fort Wayne over their principal acerbic and acrimonious archenemies, the Komets. Through the first 19-games of the season, the IceMen have assembled an impressive record of 19(13-5-1) totaling 27-points with a masterful win percentage of .711. They will launch the next new week having maintained a minuscule 1-point lead over the skyrocketing Fort Wayners 19(13-6-0)26-points for the top perch in the CHL Turner Conference alliance. The K's have been rampaging lately with a record of 9(8-1-0) over their past 9-decisions and 14(11-3-0) through their most recent 14-appearances. Fort Wayne has won 4-consecutively at home while abroad they are also profiting with a mark of 9(7-2-0) in their last 9-escapades. Evansville has grown a 5-points' lead over third place Missouri 20(10-8-2)22 with the Mavericks going 14(4-8-2) in their last 14-outings after broaching the current campaign with a sizzling 6-game win streak. The Icers of Evansville have attained a 6-points advantage over fourth place Quad City 19(10-8-1)21 and Rapid City 20(10-9-1)21 with the Mallards flying-high due to a 5-game unblemished skein 5(4-0-1) and the Rush coming off a 2-game weekend home sweep of visiting Arizona. This upcoming week is set to become the first place IceMen's most momentous of the season as they face another daunting assignment consisting of 3-games in 3-days, featuring titanic tussles with both Fort Wayne and Missouri. The IceMen and the Komets will smack in a two-game home-and-home series with first place being the ultimate grand prize. The IceMen will host the Komets on Friday night before reciprocating and sojourning to "Kometland" for encore combat Saturday night. Then it's back home Sunday for a renewal of their rivalry with Missouri Sunday at 5:00 pm at the Ford Center.

DOUBLE DATES AT THE FORD: For the second consecutive weekend, the first place IceMen will present their top spot act at their home of the fabulous Ford Center, downtown Evansville for a pair of on-stage performances on both Friday and Sunday evenings. Friday night when they tangle truculently with Fort Wayne, it has been designated the annual, ever-popular "Teddy Bear Toss Night." All IceMen hockey fans and friends alike are urged and encouraged to bring a new teddy bear or other assorted stuff animals and pitch them on the ice when the Icemen score their first goal of the game. These furry creatures and critters will be gathered and donated throughout the community to those youngsters wishing for a very Merry Christmas. Sunday, when the IceMen guest Missouri, it will be "Coats for Kids Day."

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT": It's another fun-filled, lively and entertaining episode of the weekly Monday night radio show, "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light" this Monday night from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, live from Show-Me's East on radio flagship home WEOA-AM 1400 and 1400amweoa.com. This week, Terry Ficorelli's special guests will be center Nicklas Lindberg and left wing Mark Cody.

WORST TO FIRST: The past 3-games in 3-days weekend, the first place IceMen registered a record of 3(2-1-0). They swept a pair of home games on Friday night over Dayton, 4-1 before edging Bloomington on Sunday by the final outcome of 2-1. In between, they trembled in Fort Wayne to the Komets, 5-0 on Saturday night, marking the second time that Evansville's icers have been blanked this campaign with both of those inhaled abroad. For the season, the IceMen record stands at a lustrous 19(13-5-1) for 27-points. The kinetic "Kromminator" contingent is 5(4-1-0) in the last 5-starts and 10(6-4-0) in the last 10-offerings. Dating back to late last season, the IceMen have been reaping a bounteous harvest through a magnificent mark of 24(17-5-2) in the last 24-decisions and 28(18-6-4) in the last 28-dates. The longest win streak of the season has been 5-in a row; the longest unsullied skein has been 7(6-0-1), mirroring the initial 7-games of the current campaign. The monthly ledger statement: October 2(1-0-1); November 11(8-3-0); December 6(4-2-0). One year ago after 19-games, the IceMen were a rather mundane 19(8-9-2) 20-points on their way to finishing in last place with the worst record in the CHL in their AA debuting season.

FLOURISHING AT THE FORD: By achieving yet two more triumphs the past weekend at home, the IceMen extended their latest home win streak to 4-consecutively; 4(4-0-0). In the process, they have upgraded their home mark to a league-best 7(6-1-0) with their last and lone setback having been incurred back on November 18th when they succumbed to archrival Fort Wayne, 5-2. Dating back to last season, the hometown team is 13(9-1-3) in the last 13-exercises.

ROAD WEARY WARRIORS: The first place IceMen have epitomized the consummate warriors since the season's inception in foreign ice warfare. Though they perished in Fort Wayne the past Saturday night, 5-0, the IceMen, nevertheless, have preserved a strong and stellar road record of 12(7-4-1), earning 15-points in a dozen dates. Their total of 15-road points accrued in 12-games rank as second most in the entire CHL. The longest road win streak has been 4-consecutively; longest undefeated skein in the land of alien territories has been 6(5-0-1), representing their first 6-road tests of the year. Dating back to last season, their road record stands at a masterful 16(10-4-2).

THE COLLECTION BY CONFERENCE: Eighteen of the IceMen initial 19-games have been played within the cozy confines of their own Turner Conference development. They have assembled a mark of 18(12-5-1) and 1(1-0-0) when they do step outside the conference borders. Thus far this season, the IceMen have gained a winning record against all teams with the exclusion being Fort Wayne 5(2-2-1) and Rapid City 3(1-2-0).

TO SCORE/TO NOT TO SCORE: The past weekend, the IceMen produced 6-GF while permitting only 7-GA. For the season, the men who wear navy, sky and white rank circuit seventh with a GFA of 3.16. Defensively, the IceMen have been the utter masters of their eminent domain and divine province, having grudgingly surrendered only 50-GA for a GAA of a frugal 2.63 which ranks a lofty #3 in the CHL weekly books. Evansville has been especially stingy in the GA department at home where in winning 4-in a row at the Ford Center, they have allotted a menial 4-GA for a GAA 1.00. Moreover, for the entire season at the home ice venue, the "Lords of the Ice" have allowed only 13-GA in 7-games for a GAA of a scintillating 1.86.

ROYALTY MAJESTY: Savvy center Todd Robinson 19(7-22-29) is listed #3 this week in CHL league-wide scoring with both his 22-assists and 12-PPA ranked as runner-up in the CHL. Brian Bicek is tied for the league-lead in SHG with 3. Philippe Plante's 4-SHA lead the CHL. Bicek's 16-minor penalties tie him for #4 in the loop. Mario Boilard's 68-PIM lead all rookies and ranks circuit second overall. Philippe Plante is fourth in CHL goal-scoring shooting percentage, exercising economy in his pinpoint marksmanship; 4/17; 23.5%. In CHL Defense scoring: Steven Makway has climbed to #4 with 19(2-12-14); Matt Gens is right behind at #7 19(6-7-13); Philippe Plante 18(4-8-12) is 12th. Gens tops all CHL defensemen in GWG with 3; Plante is second with 2-GWG. Gens 6-goals tie him for second most among the blue line brigade. In the seal of good goalkeeping category, Pier-Olivier Pelletier ranks third in the CHL with a 2.41 GAA while his .929 SPCT ranks #2 in the loop.

THE "P.O. SHOW" SHINES: Four-year pro goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier recently weathered an uncharacteristic personal 3-game losing streak which, apparently, was nothing more than an aberration and deviation from the normalcy of his high-quality standards. Pelletier is presently on a 3-game win streak at this juncture of the season; last 3(3-0-0), having yielded only 4-GA in that span for a GAA of a shrinking 1.33. On home ice, the IceMen human puck barricade has been brilliant with a 6(5-1-0) mark and miserly 2.00 GAA, allotting only 12-GA.

MATT MAKES MARKS: Six-year veteran defenseman Matt Gens has emerged prominently and dominantly both in puck-prevention attention and point-producing connection. In his team's 4-1 triumph Friday night on home ice against Dayton, the Baudette, MN product from St. Cloud State U. enjoyed an exciting and electrifying career night. The man who sings the hits with his guitar can also croon when he is experiencing a scoring boon. Friday night, he was instrumental and integral on the scoring attack, accounting for all 4-goals on 2-goals, 2-assists, earning the game's #1 Star. Contained in the Gens scoring scourge was the GWG and one UG. His 3-GWG tie him for the Evansville team top perch with Matt Pierce.

PIERCE PROUD PUCKSTER: Left wing Matt Pierce may be evolving into the quintessential touch-in-the-clutch goal-scoring Svengali that elevates the IceMen offensive armada to the grandeur of many more key wins this season. The past Sunday, he did it, yet, again, delivering the TBG/GWG in the third stanza to puncture a 1-1 stalemate and catapult his club into victory to the tune of 2-1 over Bloomington. It was the second consecutive Sunday that Pierce has connected on the ultimate GWG against the Blaze, giving him a total of 5-goals for the season with 3 of those GWG. In fact, in winning 4 of their last 5-starts, the IceMen have seen Pierce deliver the GWG in 3 of those 4-victories.

SLICK NICK NATURAL: Nine year pro center Nicklas Lindberg's polished, precision performance has anointed him playmaker extraordinaire in recent activity. Arranging both of his club's strikes stoked in a 2-1 victory verdict Sunday on home ice against Bloomington, the sweet Swede has surged to #2 in team total scoring with 18(4-13-17) In his last 5-games, "Nick the Quick" has adeptly and adroitly fashioned 7-assists; last 5(0-7-7).

SECOND SOLID SOUND: The IceMen special teams play has represented one of the true key components to the club's climb from the outhouse to the penthouse thus far this season. The power play is rated circuit second, operating at 24.7%; 19-78 with their 19-PPG tying them for 4th most in the CHL. However, through the last 2-games, the IceMen power play has been uncharacteristically silent, going 0-10. Meanwhile the shorthand band has been a bonanza for the Coach Kromm crew. Also ranked #2 in the loop, it is 80-92 for an efficiency rating of an extremely effective 87%. The opposition is only 3 for the last 40 for a PK efficiency mark of a glowing 92.5%. Evansville' 6-SHG tie for second most in the league.

HISTORY HALLMARK: Defenseman Philippe Plante played in his 800th pro career game the past Saturday night in Fort Wayne. Plante (298) is 2-assists shy of 300. Nicklas Lindberg (398) is 2-points away from pro career 400. Brian Bicek (95) is 5-assists away from pro career 100. Matt Pierce (149) is one point from 150. Sean O'Connor (149) still needs 1-more point for 150. Todd Robinson (845) is 5-assists shy of 850 for his career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen are the lone undefeated team in the CHL in 1-goal outcomes thus far this season at 6(5-0-1) and 3(3-0-0) at home. With their 4-1 win Friday night on home ice against Dayton, the IceMen are 4(4-0-0) against the Gems this year. The IceMen have been strong at home in the first period, outscoring the visitors, 8-2. When scoring the game's FG, the IceMen remain unsullied at 11(10-0-1). Evansville has yet to drop a game this season when holding the lead at the end of each of the first 2-periods; first period: 9(8-0-1) second period: 11(11-0-0). Todd Robinson has essayed 10-assists in 5-games against Fort Wayne this year; 5(0-10-10). The IceMen are a combined 9(9-0-0) this season on both Friday 6(6-0-0) and Sunday 3(3-0-0).

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH FORT WAYNE AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17TH THE ICEMEN AT FORT WAYNE 6:30 PM

The two-game showdown weekend for two Indiana state archrivals with first place outright, perhaps, being the ultimate grand prize. In five sessions staged so far this season, it is all even on the IceMen side of the ledger at 5(2-2-1). Evansville is 2(1-1-0) at home and 3(1-1-1) on the road in Fort Wayne. However, the surging Komets have prevailed in the last pair of encounters, 5-2 on November 18th in Evansville and 5-0 the past Saturday in Fort Wayne.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH MISSOURI AT THE ICEMEN 5:00 PM

For the third time this season, the IceMen and the Mavericks will tangle with Evansville leading the season series at 2(2-0-0). The IceMen swept a crucial two-game home-and-home series from the Mavs back on November 18th and November 19th. Evansville's sextet prevailed 2-1 in OT on 11/18 when Matt Gens converted. Then the subsequent night in Independence, MO, the IceMen were even more emphatic in earning the victory, 6-3.

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

THE ICEMEN ON WEOA-AM 1400 & THE ICEMEN RADIO NETWORK: Evansville and the Tri-State, your pro hockey team plays here! All of the IceMen game broadcasts are on flagship station 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 for the season.

THE ICEMEN DAILY UPDATES ARE EVERYWHERE ON THE AIR: Continuing with their expanded coverage, 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. 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; WKDS-FM 106.1 at 4:35 pm; WKBR-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, 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 ticket plans and great group rates at (812) 421-GOAL (4625).



Central Hockey League Stories from December 12, 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