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Evansville IceMen Weekly

March 19, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


THE ICEMEN MAJESTICS: Despite dropping a pair of contests the past weekend on the road at Rapid City, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League have clinched their first-ever post season playoff berth in the CHL's annual Ray Miron President's Cup Playoffs. Under the tutelage of second-year General Manager / Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen will embark on the final week of the league's 66-game regular season schedule immersed in a tight, taut-fraught four teams' titanic tussle for playoff positioning. Entering the last week, a mere 5-points separate first through fourth place in the CHL's Turner Conference standings with each of the four teams having the same, exact number of games remaining, a total of four. For the IceMen, they will commence the final week occupying second place with a record of 62(38-20-4) 80-points. They trail first place Fort Wayne 62(37-18-7) 81-points by a scant single point.Third place Rapid City 62(36-20-6) 78-points, trails the IceMen by a pair of points with the Rush having won 4-in a row and 6 of their last 7-starts. Missouri is presently residing in the fourth and final playoff spot 62(35-21-6) 76-points, having gained a four points advantage over fifth place Quad City 62(35-25-2) 72-points. This week, the IceMen confront another daunting assignment of 4-games in 5-days with more somewhat exorbitant, inordinate travel. The IceMen return home to the Ford Center Wednesday and Friday nights to guest Missouri and Quad City respectively before returning to road warfare for the final two games before the playoffs. Evansville will be in Wichita Saturday night to duel with the Berry Conference and CHL league-leaders the Thunder. Game #66 is on the docket for Sunday afternoon in suburban Fort Worth, TX where the IceMen will make their first-ever appearance as they jostle with the Brahmas.

17-DAY WAIT IS OVER!: Following an extended 17-day absence from their home of the Ford Center, the IceMen, at long last, return home for a pair of appearances to close out their home regular season slate before aiming for the post season and the playoffs. In a classic encounter for ultimate playoff positioning, the IceMen will wage warfare with conference foe Missouri, Wednesday night before playoff-aspiring Quad City comes to town Friday night for the regular season home finale. Friday night has been designated as IceMen "Fan Appreciation Night" as the IceMen present their Second Annual Players Awards Night. The world famous Zooperstars come back to entertain as well. The night promises to be one filled with prizes and surprises for everyone!

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT:" It's another festive, fun-filled entertaining night of the IceMen growingly popular Monday night radio show, "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light" this Monday night, March 19th live from Show-Me's East. This week, "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli will welcome special IceMen guests, goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier and newcomer, left wing Maxime Boisclair. The IceMen radio show is live from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on their flagship home of WEOA-AM 1400 and 1400amweoa.com.

WITH IT WITH WINS: Entering the final week of the regular season a scant single point in arrears of first place Fort Wayne, the second place IceMen 62(38-20-4) 80-points actually top their conference in total number of victories with 38 while their 20-defeats equal third place Rapid City for second fewest in the Turner Conference alliance. Saddled with a pair of setbacks the past weekend in Rapid City, the IceMen had their modest 2-game win streak come to a close. Since theirs and the league's longest win streak of 10-in a row, the IceMen have compiled a mark of 9(2-7-0) through their last 9-decisions. Their first half record; 33(21-9-3) 45; their second half mark; 29(17-11-1) 35. Since the inception of the New Year, the mark is 36(23-11-2) 48. The IceMen have also composed the league's longest undefeated streak of the year at 12(10-0-2) while also attaining a 6-game win streak and 5-game win skein as well as 7-game unbeaten mark of 7(6-0-1). The monthly records: October 2(1-0-1); November 11(8-3-0); December 13(6-6-1); January 13(10-1-2); February 14(11-3-0); March 8(2-6-0).

HOMESTEAD STRANGERS: The IceMen come back home to the Ford Center this week marking the end of a seemingly interminable 17-day hiatus from Evansville. When last in town, the IceMen were in the midst of their second 3-game losing streak at The Ford this campaign. Their last toast of triumph at home was back on February 25th when before a record-breaking, history-making sellout crowd of 9,487, they throttled archrival Fort Wayne in a 3-0 shutout. For the season, the home log is an impressive one at 31(20-10-1) with their longest home win streaks being 7-in a row and 5-in succession.

ROAD WEARY WARRIORS: Having seemingly spent most of if not the entire month of March away from home bay, the IceMen, nevertheless, have assembled one of the CHL's premiere records in the department of alien ice invasions. Though dropping a pair in Rapid City the past weekend, the IceMen share the distinction of accruing the second best abroad record in their own conference. At 31(18-10-3), the IceMen have duplicated Missouri for conference runner-up. Evansville has been a paragon of consistency and continuity on foreign ice all of this current campaign. In the last dozen dates away; 12(8-4-0); last 18(11-5-2). Longest road win streaks have been 6-in a row and 4-consecutively; longest undefeated skein away; 6(5-0-1). Currently trembling in their last 2-away, the IceMen still have not incurred 3-straight road setbacks thus far this season. The IceMen concluded 5-consecutive games on the road at 5(2-3-0).

FROM OUTHOUSE TO PENTHOUSE: The IceMen have attained the stately, lofty status of being the CHL's most improved team this season. The truth serum shows that one year ago, the IceMen had compiled a mark of 62(19-32-11) 49-points and last place in the conference standings. Fast forward to 12-months later and the IceMen have soared majestically to some extraordinary league heights. After 62 this year; 62(38-20-4) 80-points. The Coach Kromm crew has doubled the number of wins (19 to 38); 12-less losses (32 to 20) and 31-more points (49 to 80).

CONFERENCE COLLECTION: The IceMen have achieved some handsome winning records against both of the league's conferences this season. Within their own Turner, their record has advanced to a superb 49(28-17-4). They have truly exceled at the expense of the Berry Conference as their 13(10-3-0) markings would testify. For the IceMen, 15 of their 20-losses have been the work of 3-teams; Fort Wayne 13(6-6-1); Rapid City 7(1-6-0); Wichita 5(2-3-0). Against the rest of the CHL, the IceMen have a lustrous record of 37(29-5-3).

TOP TROUBADORS: Todd Robinson 62(23-67-90) begins the final week of the regular season on the precipice of his fifth minor pro hockey individual scoring crown. The injured Brian Bicek 58(33-27-60) is still listed 13th; Nicklas Lindberg 61(15-40-55) is 25th. Bicek's 33-goals still tie him for 4th most league-wide; his 4-SHG still run #1. Robinson's 67-assists are 16-more than the rest of the CHL; his 29-PPA are 7-more than the rest of the league. Mario Boilard's 177-PIM rank as league-wide 3rd most; his 15-majors rank tied for 5th. For the defense, Matt Gens is in the top spot with 62(12-35-47); Steve Makway 60(4-37-41) is #3; Philippe Plante 61(11-24-35) is 10th. Makway and Gens rank 1-2 in assists with 37 and 35 respectively. Gens 16-PPA tie for the best of the "D-Men" while his and Plante's 6-PPG tie for 4th most. Both Gens and Plante also have garnered 3-GWG which rank league-wide runner-up among the blue line fraternity. In CHL rookie scoring, Malcolm Gwilliam is listed 11th with 62(19-18-37). Gwilliam's 19-goals tie for 5th most among the CHL yearlings. In the seal of good goalkeeping, Bryan Gillis continues to boast the league's best overall record 33(25-7-1) and best road mark at 14(12-2-0). Gillis 2.47GAA ranks 6th; his .922 SPCT is CHL 4th best. His 25-total victories are 4th most. Gillis ranks 5th in the CHL in OTSO/SPCT; 11/13; .846. His extra time record of a combined 10(9-1-0) is also the best in the CHL.

TODD TITLE BOUND: Perennial All-Star center Todd Robinson stands at the precipice of his fifth minor pro hockey scoring crown. The 13-year pro begins the final week of the league competition holding a 4-point advantage over Quad City's Brandon Marino; 61(39-47-86). "T. Rob's" numerology at this late hour of the campaign; 62(23-67-90). His latest point streak has advanced to 5-games; 5(1-7-8); last 23-games; 23(12-24-36). "Tape-to-Tape Todd" has maestroed 22-muli-point games as well this season.

BIG JOHN JUGGERNAUT: Right wing John Ronan has emerged in recent action as one of the IceMen more revered cannoneers. The erstwhile U. of Maine standout has extended his present goal-scoring streak to 4-straight games with 4(4-0-4) in that prolific span. The past weekend in Rapid City, he made connection in both games; striking with a first period penalty shot goal (FG) before cannonading the GTG late in the second period on Saturday night, earning the game's #3 Star in the latter contest. For the season, "J.R." has elevated his goal output to 17.

"STAUFF" STUFF: Despite being a late entry in the IceMen lineup expressly for the season's stretch drive and playoffs, right wing Luke Stauffacher has made his diminutive but dynamic persona a major presence in the hometown team's lineup. In game one of the 2-game series the past weekend in Rapid City, the former 42 and 39-goal sparkplug collected 3-total points. Friday night, he delivered his first 2-Evansville goals before gathering a key assist on linemate Todd Robinson's TBG in the third period in game 2 Saturday night in South Dakota. For the weekend, Stauffacher was 2(2-1-3) with 7-SOG.

MATT MAKING MARKS: All-Star defenseman Matt Gens is enjoying a banner season in his first season on "The Kromminator's" defense corps. The 6-year pro from St. Cloud State has been averaging over a point a game through the last one-third of the season. In the process, he has grown his scoring leadership among the league's blue line brigade to a 4-full points. In his last 17-games, Gens is 17(5-14-19).

REGROUP THE TROOP: The IceMen special teams have been paramount to the team's major successes this season. At this time of the campaign, a slight tune-up may be in the offing. The power play has slipped to 4th best in the loop, operating at 19.8% proficiency; 50-253. The past weekend in Rapid City, it was neutralized by the Rush, going 0-7. It is now 1 for the last 28; 3.6%. Meanwhile, the penalty-killing unit is ranked a very close second to Rapid City. The opposition is 42-291 for an efficiency rating of an excellent 85.6%. The opponents are 4 for the last 12; 66.7%.

MEN OF MILESTONES: With 2-assists in Friday night's game at Rapid City, Matt Gens has reached the 200-points plateau in his standout 6-year career; 347(40-161-201). Nicklas Lindberg (295) is 5-assists shy of pro career 300. Todd Robinson (890) is 10-assists away from pro career 900-helpers. John Ronan (289) is 11-points from 300. Luke Stauffacher (294) is 6-games away from 300.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Friday night at Rapid City, the IceMen incurred their first road loss for that day of the week; 8(7-1-0). The IceMen 6-setbacks in March match their season-high for most in one month this season; December 13(6-6-1). The IceMen are 24(15-5-4) in 1-goal verdicts; at home: 12(8-3-1); on the road: 12(7-2-3). With the 3-2 setback Saturday at Rapid City, goaltender Bryan Gillis suffered only his second setback in 14-road decisions; 14(12-2-0). The IceMen are 4(2-2-0) since their top goal-scoring ace Brian Bicek was felled with an injury with all 4-games played away. The IceMen have now lost 5-in a row to Rapid City with a lifetime mark of 11(2-9-0) against the Rush; though, both wins have been earned in South Dakota.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21ST MISSOURI AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

The two teams tangle for the sixth time this season and the third in Evansville where the IceMen are 2(1-0-1) against the always-menacing Mavericks. The IceMen lead the fourth place Mavs by a minuscule 4-points in the latter's bid to solidify the home ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. For the season series, the IceMen are 5(2-1-2) against the Missourians.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD QUAD CITY AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

For the fifth and final time for the regular season, the IceMen and the Mallards will tackle each other. For the third time, Evansville's Ford Center will act as the backdrop. The IceMen lead the season series, 4(3-1-0), having trembled in their last action against "The Flock" back on March 3rd, 5-2. The IceMen are a perfect 2(2-0-0) on home ice against Quad City.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH THE ICEMEN AT WICHITA 7:00 PM

The IceMen and the Berry Conference and CHL league-leading Thunder will lock horns for the sixth time this season and the last time in Wichita where the IceMen prevailed in their lone previous appearance back on December 2nd 5-2. However, the Thunder lead the season series, 5(3-2-0), having captured a trio of triumphs in Evansville including 2-consecutively on February 29th and March 2nd.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25TH THE ICEMEN AT TEXAS 4:00 PM

For the final game of the regular season, the IceMen make their first-ever appearance into the Fort Worth suburbs in battle with the Brahmas. Both playoff-bound squads are clashing for the second time this season with the IceMen leading the season series, 1(1-0-0) by virtue of a 3-1 victory verdict back on December 23rd in Evansville.

THE ICEMEN ON YOUR SMART PHONES AND I-PHONES: IceMen fans who own Smart Phones and I-Phones can now take the IceMen game broadcasts and Monday night radio show wherever they go! For more information, visit the IceMen website at www.evansvilleicemen.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 home 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 report can be found on 16-different radio stations throughout the Tri-State region including flagship home 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; WDKS-FM 106.1 at 4:35 pm; WBKR-FM 92.5 (Owensboro, KY) at 4:40 pm; WOMI-AM 1490 (Owensboro, KY) at 4:45 pm. Elsewhere, on WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7 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 WMSK-AM 1550 at 7:30 am and 4:30 pm and WMSK-FM 101.3, Morganfield, KY at 4:25 pm. The latest addition is WYFX-FM ESPN Radio 106.7 in Mount Vernon.

THE ICEMEN TICKET INFORMATION: For information pertaining to IceMen regular season and playoff tickets, check in with 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) or visit our website at www.evansvilleicemen.com.

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