Evansville IceMen Weekly

Published on February 10, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


RUNDOWN LOWDOWN: After completing a rather rigorous three-games in four nights road expedition with some inordinate and exorbitant travel the past week, the Evansville IceMen commence the new week's season's work with renewed hope and faith following their near miracle comeback effort and enormous performance the past Saturday night in Gwinnett against the South Division pace-setting Gladiators. Under the tutelage of third-year General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen have a total of 21-games remaining on their 72-game ECHL regular season schedule. Eight of those remaining games will be played on home ice at the Ford Center with the other 13-contests being waged as alien territory escapades. Through 51-games, the IceMen have assembled an overall record of 51(17-29-5) totaling 39-points and fifth place in the Eastern Conference North Division standings. Evansville will embark on the new week with seven games left on its February schedule; 3-more at home and 4-more on the ECHL roadways. It's another three games in four nights' week for the "Men of the Igloo" with the first two at home and the latter one abroad; all against their own North Division. The "Icers" launch action this Wednesday night at the Ford Center where they will tackle torrid Toledo 49(27-18-4)58-points before awaiting the invasion of in-state archenemy Fort Wayne for the start of a two-game home-and-home series against the Komets this Friday night. The IceMen will reciprocate as they close-out the weekend with a return clash with the Komets with the latter one in Fort Wayne on Saturday night.

WORLD FAMOUS "PHILLY FANATIC": When the IceMen return home following an 11-day absence to tangle with Toledo on Wednesday night at the Ford Center, the IceMen organization will present the world famous, "Philly Fanatic" for everyone's exciting and entertaining pleasure. The notorious MLB Philadelphia Phillies famous mascot will be making his first-ever appearance at an IceMen game. Wednesday has also been designated as the IceMen first-ever "Career Fair Day" which will take place throughout the day at the Ford Center. On Friday night, the IceMen are promising some Valentine's fun when they broach that two-game home-and-home series against Fort Wayne.

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT": It's yet another fun-filled, entertaining two hours' edition of the IceMen ever-popular Monday night radio show this week. "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light!" Show host, Terry Ficorelli's special guests will be left wing Patrick Kennedy and right wing Trent Vogelhuber. It's "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light," Monday night from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm live from Show-Me's East and on radio flagship home, "Magic 98.5 FM" and 1400 AM WEOA as well as world-wide on the internet at magic98fm.com and 1400amweoa.com.

WRAP THE RECAP: Confronting a daunting assignment consisting of 3-road games in 4-nights surrounded by some rather significant and substantial travel, the IceMen compiled a mark of 3(0-2-1). Opening the travelogue Wednesday night in Kalamazoo, the IceMen could not solidify 2-0 and 3-2 advantages in an ultimate 5-4 OT outcome. Dylan Clarke did make connection twice for the "Men of the Igloo" including the GTG in the third frame to induce OT in the contest. Friday night, in their first-ever appearance in South Carolina, the IceMen fell to the Stingrays, 5-2. Both of the Evansville's strikes were stoked in the initial stanza. Jim McKenzie (GTG) and Jason Dale SHG/PG were the major marquee marksmen for the IceMen. Then on Saturday night, also making their first trip to Gwinnett, the IceMen nearly attained a virtually-miracle come-from-behind late third period rally. Trailing 6-2 with 5:25 remaining, the IceMen fueled a 3-goal inferno in 3:34 to narrow the deficit to 6-5 before running out-of-time. Two of those goals were power play thrusts with Josh Beaulieu (1-2-3) spurring the late spree. Todd Robinson was brilliant, registering 4-assists.

REPORT CARD RECORD: Through 51-games, the IceMen have recorded a mark of 51(17-29-5) for 39-points. They are winless in their last 4-starts; 4(0-3-1). The last victory was February 1st on home ice in the form of a 5-4 OTSO success at the expense of first place Cincinnati. The last 5-games; 5(1-3-1); last 9-games; 9(1-7-1); last 11-games; 11(2-8-1) with both of those victory verdicts gained in extra time; a 4-3 OT home triumph back on January 18th vs. Kalamazoo as well as the February 1st OTSO win over the Cyclones. Since the All-Star break: 8(1-6-1); since the season's second half: 15(5-8-2); since the New Year; 17(6-9-2). The longest win streak of the season has been 3-in a row; longest undefeated skeins; 6(4-0-2) and 4(3-0-1). The longest winless spell has been 7(0-6-1), mirroring the initial 7-games of the regular season. The monthly marks: October 7(0-6-1); November 14(6-8-0); December 13(5-6-2); January 12(5-6-1); February 5(1-3-1).

FORD CENTER STANDING: The IceMen will make their first home appearance in 11-days this Wednesday night when they guest divisional foe Toledo. For the season, the IceMen home record stands at 28(12-16-0) for 24-total points. In their last 4-outings at home; 4(1-3-0); last 6 at home; 6(2-4-0). Since the All-Star break; 3(1-2-0); in the second half: 8(4-4-0); since the New Year; 9(5-4-0). The longest win streaks at home have been 4-in a row and 3-in succession. Longest home losing skein has been 5-in a row which represent the initial 5-home encounters of the current campaign.

ROAD WEARY WARRIORS: Returning home following a trip that seemed one around the world of the ECHL, the IceMen saw their road mark for the season lowered to 23(5-13-5) with their 5-road wins ranking as second fewest in the league behind only Wheeling with 4-such wins. Currently, the IceMen are winless in their last 5-journeys abroad; last 5(0-4-1) with their last victory on foreign ice coming back on January 12th in OT at Elmira, 4-3. That win is the lone win since back on November 24th at Reading; last 14(1-9-4); last 7(1-4-2). The longest winless spell: 8(0-5-3); since the All-Star break: 5(0-4-1); since the second half; 7(1-4-2); since the New Year; 8(1-5-2). Four of the 5 road wins have been achieved on Saturday night; 9(4-4-1).

THE DIVISION DOCKET: The IceMen overall 2012-13 ECHL record by division at this hour of the campaign; the North Division: 30(12-14-4); the Atlantic Division: 12(3-8-1); the South Division: 9(2-7-0). Evansville's combined record outside its own North Division is 21(5-15-1).

TOP ARTILLERY DISTILLERY: Center Todd Robinson 43(3-45-48) and left wing linemate Josh Beaulieu 51(22-26-48) have surged to a tie for 13th in ECHL league wide scoring. Robinson's 45-total assists and 24-PPA both are foremost in the ECHL while his 24-PP/Points rank runner-up in the league. As for Beaulieu, his 11-PPG tie him for second most in the entire league and his 5-GWG are tied for 5th most in the circuit. Daniel Tetrault 50(5-18-23) has climbed to 15th in ECHL scoring among defensemen.

PLAYMAKING MAESTRO: Veteran center Todd Robinson has been the "Tape-to-Tape Todd" imperial impresario. During the three game road junket of the past week, the 14-year standout engineered 6-resourceful assists including a 4- assists' masterpiece Saturday night in his team's near-miracle comeback at Gwinnett. "T. Rob" launched the sojourn with a pair of healthy helpers Wednesday night in the OT affair at Kalamazoo. For the week, he was 3(0-6-6) as the playmaker extraordinaire, remarkably, has averaged over an assist a game throughout his illustrious 14-year pro career. In his last 10-games; 10(1-15-16); last 17-games; 17(2-22-24). Robinson is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Player of the Week.

THE "BEAU" BINGE BARRAGE: Six-year left wing Josh Beaulieu is enjoying his second consecutive banner season under the employ of the IceMen. The past week, he authored 5-points in 3-games on 2-goals, 3-assists including 3-points, 1-goal, 2-assists in Saturday's undoing inflicted by Gwinnett. Two goals shy of equaling his career-high of 24 set last season, in his first season with the IceMen, "Beau" has sustained his scoring scourge in a most consistent fashion all season long. Recently completing an 8-game point-scoring streak which duplicated the Evansville's longest of the season, Beaulieu is presently 5(4-4-8) in the last 5-games; last 10-games; 10(7-6-13); last 26-games; 26(11-17-28).

DEFENSE MAN DAN: Thirteen-year veteran defenseman Daniel Tetrault has been contributing some significant offense from the IceMen defense in recent on-ice activity. Having soared to the top 15 in ECHL defense scoring, Tetrault has amassed 13-points through the last 17-games on 3-goals, 10-assists. He has emerged prominently as the IceMen premiere point-producing blue line brigade member this season.

THE JASON JET-STREAM: Swift center Jason Dale continues to employ and exploit his blinding, blazing, breakaway speed to full, maximum and optimum advantage for the hometown team. In Friday night's 5-2 setback at South Carolina, the ace penalty-killing expert exhibited his turbo-charged, jet-streaming speed with an electrifying breakaway flight foray which produced Evansville's second and final successful offensive assault of the night. With lightning flashing from his skate blades, Dale, the shorthanded bandit, delivered his 8th goal of the season, his first goal in 8-games and his team's 4th SHG of the season.

POWER PLAY POTENT: The IceMen special teams have been a paragon of pre-eminent polish, precision and predominance throughout this inaugural ECHL season. The power play has been one of the league's brilliant best. The extra man band was 2 for the last 2 in the exhilarating, invigorating near comeback climax Saturday night at Gwinnett. The power play is presently 6 for the last 21; 28.6%. Moreover, it is 8 for the last 30; 26.7% and 11 for the last 40; 27.5% proficiency rating. Evansville has connected on multiple PPG in 8-different games this season and has scored 2-PPG in a single period on four separate occasions this year.

PENALTY KILL COLOSSAL: The IceMen penalty-killing cast has been extremely effective all though the current campaign. Ranked 8th best in the ECHL overall and a lofty circuit 6th best when playing on the road, the shorthand band is currently 8 for the last 8; 100%. It is 33 for the last 36; 91.7% and 67 for the last 74 for a rating of a supreme 90.5%. The IceMen have scored 4-SHG and surrendered 12-SHGA.

MILESTONES MACHINE: Josh Beaulieu's 48-points thus far this season match his season output from all of last season when he was (24-24-48). Beaulieu (46-50-96) is 4-points away from 100-points as a member of the IceMen. Dylan Clarke (95) is 5-points away from the pro 100. Kevin Baker (244) is 6-assists away from 250. Mark Cody (196) is 4-games shy of pro career 200. Jim McKenzie scored his first goal as an IceMen Friday night at South Carolina. McKenzie (290) is 10-games away from 300. Josh Beaulieu is the lone IceMen player to play in all 51-games thus far this season. Head Coach Rich Kromm (389) is 11-wins away from 400-coaching victories.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": In overall extra time this season, the IceMen have posted a mark of 8(3-5); 4(2-2) in overtime and 4(1-3) in OTSO. Their best periods have been the first and second periods at home, outscoring the visitors, 27-26 in the first period and 31-26 in the second stanza. When they score 4-goals, the IceMen record is an unbeaten 11(10-0-1). Josh Beaulieu's goal at the 0:47 mark of the second period Saturday night in Gwinnett represented the IceMen second fastest goal from the start of a period this season. Matt Krug's 33-PIM Friday night at South Carolina were the second most accumulated by an IceMen player in a single game this season. Evansville is 20(11-8-1) when outshooting the opposition.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH TOLEDO AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

For the seventh time the IceMen and the Walleye will tangle. It will be the fourth bout to be staged in Evansville. After prevailing in the initial three games including an 8-5 demolition of the Toledoans back on December 7th at the Ford Center, the IceMen have been hamstrung in the latter trio of tussles, being outgoaled by their Northern Ohio rivals, 10-2. The IceMen are 3(2-1-0) at home and 3(1-2-0) at the Huntington Center.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH THE ICEMEN AT FORT WAYNE 6:30 PM

The IceMen and the Komets will collide in a two-game home-and-home series for the weekend with the IceMen possessing a 7(2-4-1) log against their major archenemies. Home ice advantage has been unfounded in the lifetime series for the two Indiana combatants. Thus far this season, the IceMen are only 4(1-3-0) in 4-Ford Center ventures and 3(1-1-1) in a triumvirate of performances at Memorial Coliseum. The K's are 10(7-3-0) in their 10-engagements in the IceMen domain of the Ford Center while the IceMen are 7(4-1-2) in their last 7-appearances in Fort Wayne.

THE ICEMEN ON THE NEW "MAGIC 98.5 FM" WEOA/WEOA-AM 1400 & THE ICEMEN RADIO NETWORK:

All of the IceMen game broadcasts are on flagship stations; the all-new "Magic 98.5 FM, WEOA as well as on WEOA-AM 1400. Also, they are on the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com and magic985fm.com as well as the IceMen Radio Network. WLME-FM 102.7, "The Game" in Owensboro, KY; WMSK-AM 1550, Morganfield, KY and WVLN-AM 740 in Olney, IL broadcast the complete schedule of IceMen games while WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7, Jasper, IN carry a select schedule of games, numbering 23-30 for the season.

THE ICEMEN DAILY UPDATES ARE EVERYWHERE ON THE AIR: The IceMen daily update reports can now be heard on 18-different radio outlets throughout the Tri-State region. Flagship WEOA-FM 98.5 and WEOA-AM 1400 program the IceMen report at 4:200 pm Monday through Friday. The Townsquare Media family of stations; WGBF-AM 1280, WGBF-FM 103.1, WKDQ-FM 99.5; WJLT-FM 105.3; WKDS-FM 106.1; WBKR-FM 92.5, Owensboro, KY and WOMI-AM 1490, Owensboro, KY present the report every afternoon in drive time between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Elsewhere, WITZ-AM 990 and WITZ-FM 104.7 in Jasper, IN; WSON-am 860 and WSON-FM 96.5 in Henderson, KY; WMSK-AM 1550, WMSK-FM 101.3 in Morganfield, KY; WRAY-AM 1250 in Princeton, IN; WLME-FM 102.7, "The Game" in Owensboro KY and WYFX-FM ESPN Radio 106.7, Mount Vernon, IN.

THE ICEMEN TICKET INFORMATION: IceMen single game tickets for all 36-home games are on sale at the Ford Center Box 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). Visit the IceMen website at www.evansvilleicemen.com.

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