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Evansville IceMen Weekly

February 24, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


RUNDOWN LOWDOWN: Severely depleted of player manpower, as has been the pervading case for the preponderance of their premiere campaign in the ECHL, the Evansville IceMen, yet one more time, demonstrated the utter embodiment of perseverance, character and fortitude in completing the sweep of a two-game road series in Florida against the coronated Kelly Cup kings, the Everblades. Under the guidance of third-year General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the men of Evansville pro hockey operated with a mere 15-players and just 7-forwards due to more injuries and roster recalls from their affiliations. Undaunted and seemingly unflappable, the IceMen concluded their first-ever adventure into the state of Florida with a 2-1 mark and a 3-1 record overall by the completion of an extended 4-game foreign ice journey. Having lost the services of the team's heart and soul, left wing Josh Beaulieu for the remainder of the season, the IceMen still found a way to be at their best as they rallied to the cause of their fallen team warrior. Through 57-games, the IceMen have upgraded their overall season mark to 57(21-31-5) totaling 47-points with 15-more games remaining on their 2012-13 ECHL regular season schedule. Of those remaining 15-games, the IceMen will play 6-more at home and 9-more on the road. After a two-week absence from their home of the Ford Center, the IceMen host a pair of clashes this week with both games against Ohio rivals from their own North Division. Thursday night, the IceMen lock horns with the Toledo Walleye to broach a two-game home-and-home series which will be capped Saturday night in the Ohio hamlet. Sunday night, the IceMen rekindle rancor with one of their major rivals as first place Cincinnati arrives on the scene at the Ford Center.

HOME FOR TWO THIS WEEK: Returning home to the Ford Center following a two-week absence, the IceMen will be guesting a pair of appearances this week. Thursday night, the second place Toledo Walleye come calling on "Star Wars II Night." Sunday, March 3rd, the IceMen will renew hostilities with Cincinnati at a special Sunday night starting time of 7:15 pm. Sunday night has been designated "Indianapolis 500 Night." Also slated for Sunday night will be the annual Child Abuse Awareness Night.

"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. It's "IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light." Show host, Terry Ficorelli's special guests will be goaltender Paul Dainton and defenseman Daniel Tetrault. "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 magic985fm.com and 1400amweoa.com.

WRAP THE RECAP: It was not only a banner week for the IceMen but also a record-equaling one as well. Completing a three-game Floridian foreign ice junket with a 3(2-1-0) record, the "Men of the Igloo" actually launched the sojourn on a rather sobering and somber note, being humbled in Orlando on Wednesday night by the Solar Bees, 6-1. In his IceMen debut, Andre Bouvet-Morrissette accounted for his new team's lone goal as the setback matched the worst of the season for the team in navy, sky and white. Friday night, opening a two-game series in Florida against the defending League Champions, the Everblades, the IceMen, depleted and decimated with injuries and player recalls, were magnificent in surmounting a daunting 3-1 middle stanza shortfall to actually achieve the lead before ultimately deciding the issue in the OTSO. The IceMen and the 'Blades employed an ECHL record-tying 42-shooters combined before the IceMen outlasted the league coronated kingpins by the official final result of 5-4 (OTSO) and 3-goals to 2 in the OTSO. In his second game, Andre Bouvet-Morrissette delivered the GWG with his team's record 21st shootout shot. Saturday night, the IceMen did complete the somewhat improbable sweep in a late, dramatic, 5-3 victory verdict. Dylan Clarke's TBG/GWG at 17:42, late third period, smashed the 3-3 tie before Todd Robinson cemented it with the ENG.

REBUILDING THE RECORD: Having culminated a highly-successful 4-game road excursion with an excellent 4(3-1-0) mark, the IceMen have elevated their overall season mark to 57(21-31-5) for 47-points. Evansville has been resurgent, posting a stellar 5(4-1-0) mark over the last 5-decisions. Its current 2-game win streak is its sixth such skein of the season. Since the inception of the season's second-half, the IceMen record stands at 21(9-10-2); since the New Year; 23(10-11-2); since the All-Star break; 14(5-8-1). The longest win streak of the season has been 3-consecutively; longest unsullied skeins have been 6(4-0-2) and 4(3-0-1). The longest losing skid has been 4-in a row; longest winless spell has been 7(0-6-1), mirroring the initial 7-games of this season. The monthly numbers: October 7(0-6-1); November 14(6-8-0); December 13(5-6-2); January 12(5-6-1); February 11(5-5-1).

HOME HIATUS OVER: After a two-week absence from their home of the Ford Center, the IceMen return to action for a pair of encounters this week. With six home appearances still remaining on the docket, the "Kromminator" kinetic contingent is continuing its unrelenting climb to attain the .500 plateau. Through 30-home offerings, the IceMen have assembled a Ford Center mark of 30(13-17-0). In their last home date, back on February 15th, the "Icers" collared the Komets of Fort Wayne, 6-1, in matching their largest margin of victory for this season. Evansville is 6(2-4-0) in its last 6-home dates; last 8(3-5-0). Since the All-Star break; 5(2-3-0); since the second half; 10(5-5-0); since the New Year; 11(6-5-0). The longest win streaks of the season have been 4-in a row and 3-consecutively. Longest home ice losing spell has been 5-in a row which represent the initial 5-home encounters of this current campaign.

ROAD RENAISSANCE: Completing a highly-successful 4-game foreign ice invasion with a 4(3-1-0) record, the IceMen have now won their last 2-starts abroad which equal their longest road win skein of the season. In the process, Evansville has upgraded its overall road record for the season to 27(8-14-5). Six of those 8-alien territory victories have been produced on Saturday night; 11(6-4-1). When they outlasted the Florida Everblades in the ECHL record-tying 42-shooter OTSO Friday night, 5-4, the IceMen finally captured that elusive initial road decision on Friday night; 8(1-5-2). Last 11 on the road; 11(4-5-2), earning 10-points in the last 11-road affairs; since the All-Star break; 9(3-5-1); since the second-half; 11(4-5-2); since the New Year; 12(4-6-2).

DECISION BY DIVISION: The IceMen record according to each division of their Eastern Conference. In the North Division: 33(14-15-4); the Atlantic Division; 12(3-8-1); the South Division; 12(4-8-0).

PREMIERE PRODUCERS: Center Todd Robinson has soared to circuit 6th in ECHL league-wide scoring; 49(5-53-58); Josh Beaulieu is 12th; 56(22-30-52). Robinson's 53-assists and 28-PPA both top the loop while his 28-PP/Points rank league-wide runner-up. As for Beaulieu, his 11-PPG rank #4 best in the ECHL. Daniel Tetrault has climbed to 12th in the ECHL in scoring among defensemen; 56(7-20-27).

JASON JUGGERNAUT: Turbo-charged, jet-propelled center Jason Dale has evolved into a true IceMen unsung hero this season. The former OHL Brampton standout had lightning coming out of his fuel-injected skate blades the past week, engineering 4-points in 3-games on 2-goals, 2-assists with 11-SOG. Connecting on key, touch-in-the-clutch goals in each of his team's two triumphs at Florida, the Pickering, Ontario product delivered the TBG to climax an IceMen 3-goal unanswered second period comeback counterattack crescendo that expunged a 3-1 deficit and vaulted the IceMen into a 4-3 advantage on Friday night before they outlasted the 'Blades in the marathon 42-shooter OTSO. Then on Saturday night, Dale delivered the game's FG/SHG on an electrifying shorthanded bandit breakaway foray and later added an assist on Todd Robinson's ENG strike which sealed the win and the sweep of the weekend series through a 5-3 victory verdict. Dale is the IceMen nomination for Sher-wood Hockey/ECHL Player of the Week.

SHOOTOUT STANDOUT STAND-UP: Third year goalkeeper Paul Dainton has emerged as the consummate backbone backstop for his team during its recent resurgence. Having posted a mark of 5(4-1-0) in his last 5-starts and 4(3-1-0) in his last 4-dates away from home bay, the former UMass-Amherst star was spellbindingly spectacular in his team's harrowing OTSO affair in Florida. The parent club Columbus Blue Jackets chattel rejected 19 of 21-Everblades OTSO attempts including, astoundingly, the last 11-shots in a row in catapulting Evansville into the victory circle. At the center of the IceMen road success, Dainton essayed a 3(2-1-0) record for the week. Dainton is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

ANDRE ON TARGET: Making a most auspicious debut during the IceMen recently-concluded three-game Floridian road swing was rookie right wing Andre Bouvet-Morrissette. Assigned to the IceMen by parent club St. Louis after the Blues had acquired his rights in a trade with NHL Nashville, the former 39-goal architect with QMJHL Drummondville of a year ago, made an indelible impression, especially in his first two Evansville outings. In his premiere appearance Wednesday night in Orlando, he accounted for the IceMen lone goal, his first goal of the season. Then in his very next game, the erstwhile Cincinnati Cyclone finally ended the 42-shooter marathon OTSO Friday night in Florida, connecting on his club's 21st shot, the ultimate GWG in the IceMen extraordinary 5-4 OTSO success.

DELLA ROVERE REVERE: This past weekend, second-year left wing Stefan Della-Rovere enjoyed his best weekend since joining the IceMen lineup. The former OHL Barrie Colts standout scored his first 2-goals under the Evansville banner while assisting on another momentous, monumental marker as an integral, instrumental catalyst in the gigantic sweep of Florida. In Friday night's 5-4 OTSO triumph, the St. Louis draft pick connected on an unassisted goal, the game's FG to set the tone, tempo and tenor for the game one success. In game two Saturday, Della-Rovere stashed the TBG/PPG in the second stanza before earning the primary assist on Todd Robinson's late ENG to solidify the 5-3 victory. For the two games; 2(2-1-3) with +1 rating and 8-SOG.

HOMECOMING WEEK: Veteran right wing Kevin Baker experienced a rather interesting homecoming week the past week. Last week's ECHL Player of the Week returned back to a pair of his former ECHL haunts in Orlando as well as Florida. He was in Orlando earlier this season at the time of his trade to Evansville while it was in Florida where he captured both the ECHL scoring crown and League MVP Award in 2008-09. In the two-game series in the latter locale, Baker authored two consecutive 2-assists performances. In his last 7-games; 7(4-8-12).

SPECIAL TOUCH TONIC: The IceMen special teams have emerged as one of the best operations in the ECHL. Evansville launches the latest new week with the league's 9th best power play power plant, clicking at 19.7% proficiency, going 46-234. The power play has been the epitome of consistency and continuity in recent action as well. It is 8 for the last 28; 28.6%; moreover, it is 12 for the last 47; 25.6% and 14 for the last 56; 25.0%. The penalty-killing ensemble cast has been ever better. The IceMen have now immobilized 32-consecutive enemy power play advantages; 32 for the last 32; 100%. The opposition is only 3 for the last 60; 95% and 7 for the last 98; 92.9% efficiency rating. Evansville's penalty-killing unit has soared to #4 best in the ECHL.

STYLINGS OF HISTORY: Before both players exited the lineup with injuries, Josh Beaulieu achieved his 100th IceMen scoring point and Mark Cody played in his 200th pro career game in the IceMen 5-4 OTSO spine-tingling, thrilling theater of a victory in Florida. Dylan Clarke registered his 100th pro career point before adding the late, dramatic TBG/GWG at the 17:42 mark of the third period in the IceMen 5-3 Saturday night over the Everblades. With his 4-assists in the two-game series the past weekend in Florida, Kevin Baker (251) has eclipsed 250-pro career assists. Jake Obermeyer (194) is 6-games shy of pro career 200. Todd Robinson 920(339-945-1,284) is 5-assists away from pro career 950 and 16-points shy of 1,300. Head Coach Rich Kromm (391) is 9-wins away from 400-coaching victories.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With their win in the record-tying 42-shooter OTSO Friday night, the IceMen have now captured two consecutive OTSO triumphs after dropping the initial trio with Friday night's being their first such success abroad. When Andre Bouvet-Morrissette delivered the GWG on the 21st shot of the OTSO, it marked the 16th straight attempt in which the IceMen were in position to win the extra session with the winning shot. By virtue of their 2-wins in Florida over the weekend, the IceMen matched their entire season output of wins this season against the South Division. With one game remaining in their 12-game February schedule the IceMen at 11(5-5-1) can claim their first winning month of the season through a victory in their next action Thursday night at home against division rival Toledo. The IceMen are 23(18-2-3) entering the third period with the lead.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH TOLEDO AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND ICEMEN AT TOLEDO 6:00 PM

After laying claim to the initial three battles against the second place Walleye, culminated by a lopsided 8-5 triumph trumping back on December 7th in Evansville, the IceMen have been silenced offensively as well as on the final tote on the scoreboard. Toledo has come back to prevail in the latter four duels, minimizing and marginalizing the IceMen attack to a meager total of 3-goals. The IceMen have dropped 2-consecutively both in the Huntington Center and the Ford Center with both of the latter home results replicating in the form of a 2-1 final outcome.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3RD CINCINNATI AT THE ICEMEN 7:15 PM

The two geographically nearby foes have developed an intense rivalry with each passing game. From the IceMen perspective, the 13-game season series is knotted at 9(4-4-1). Evansville is 4(3-1-0) on home ice as the first place Cyclones make their fifth and final regular season appearance at the Ford Center for the 2012-13 season. In the last clash, back on February 1st, the IceMen prevailed in the first-ever OTSO at the Ford Center, 5-4.

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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