Evansville IceMen Weekly

Published on March 4, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


RUNDOWN LOWDOWN: After equaling their longest win streak at 3-victories in succession, the Evansville IceMen were subdued in a pair of weekend encounters against two Ohio rivals from their own Eastern Conference North Division standings. Through 60-games and with 12-more games remaining on their 2012-13 ECHL regular season schedule, Evansville has compiled a season-long overall record of 60(22-32-5) totaling 49-points and fifth place in the division. Operating for the preponderance of the past month with the bare minimum of 15-players including 8-forwards and 5-defensemen, the IceMen have suffered the multitude of player roster losses due to an inordinate and exorbitant numbers of injuries all season long as well as the countless player recalls from their parent clubs. To compound matters for the "Icers" has been the player defections to the CHL (Central Hockey League). Thus far, the IceMen have suffered the losses of defenseman Jesse Perrin to Missouri of the CHL, and more recently, high-scoring right wing Kevin Baker to Arizona, also of the CHL. As far as their immediate schedule is concerned, the IceMen play their next three games abroad with two of those on the docket for this week. Evansville travels to Kalamazoo on Friday night to renew the duel with the Wings. Saturday night, the IceMen are on the move, again. This time, they invade Cincinnati to renew hostilities with the first place, torrid Cyclones.

PRESENTING PREMIUM PROMOS: The IceMen, once again, have some outstanding promotional activities looming on the nearest horizon. This Wednesday night, March 6th, the IceMen will be coming to the Townsquare Mall in Owensboro, KY from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. IceMen players Dylan Clarke, Andre Bouvet-Morrissette, Oliver Gabriel, Darick St. Marie and Colin Reddin will be joined by the "Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli. The IceMen will be meeting and greeting all of the IceMen fans in Owensboro with lots of giveaway items and prizes. In addition, on Friday, March 22nd when the IceMen host Reading in a 7:15 face-off at the Ford Center, "America's Sweethearts," the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will be at the Ford Center to entertain and join in the fun night at the IceMen game.

"ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT:" It's 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 IceMen goaltender Paul Karpowich and defenseman Donnie Harris. "It's IceMen Live Presented by Coors Light," Monday night from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm live from Show-Me's East and on flagship radio 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: The IceMen completed their three-game work week by registering a record of 3(1-2-0) as they prevailed in their initial test on home ice last Thursday night against Toledo, 6-3. The IceMen triggered a "trifecta" of strikes in the third period after connecting twice in period two. Kevin Baker scored twice in his last home and overall IceMen game before leaving the team to sign with Arizona in the CHL. Donnie Harris (1-1-2)GTG, Andre Bouvet-Morrissette (1-1-2)PPG, Patrick Kennedy (1-1-2)SHG and Jason Dale (1-1-2)ENG all delivered for the hometown team. Paul Dainton made 32-saves. Concluding the two-game-home-and-home series with a trip to Toledo, the Walleye exacted some resounding retribution in the form of an emphatic 7-1conquest, representing Evansville's worst defeat of its maiden voyage ECHL campaign. Daniel Tetrault (FG) delivered the IceMen lone goal before the Walleye riposted with 7-consecutive strikes including a trio of PPG to seal the success and end the IceMen 3-game win streak. Sunday night, returning to home ice at the Ford Center, the IceMen were humbled by first place Cincinnati, 9-4. The Cyclones high-voltage, high-powered attack manifested itself in the fashion of 4-goal outputs in both the second and third periods while lacing their lusty full frontal assault with 3-PPG. Oliver Gabriel did score 2-third period goals while Todd Robinson adeptly and adroitly authored (1-2-3).

THE RECORD AT 60: Through 60-games with 12-more remaining for the current campaign, the IceMen have compiled a record of 60(22-32-5) totaling 49-points. When they perished Saturday night at Toledo, 7-1, the IceMen saw their season-equaling best 3-game win streak brought to an abrupt halt. Evansville had actually prevailed impressively in 5 of the most recent 6-decisions until the Saturday night swoon and doom. Since the inception of the season's second-half, Evansville has carved-out a mark of 24(10-12-2) for 22-points; since the New Year; 26(11-13-2); since the All-Star break; 17(6-10-1). The longest win streak of the season has been 3-in a row which has been accomplished twice this year. The longest undefeated streaks 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 numerology: October 7(0-6-1); November 14(6-8-0); December 13(5-6-2); January 12(5-6-1); February 12(6-5-1); March 2(0-2-0).

FOUR MORE FOR HOME: With only four more home games remaining on their regular season schedule, the IceMen will need to lay claim to every one of them to attain the .500 plateau for their inaugural ECHL campaign. Through 32-home appearances, the IceMen have recorded a Ford Center mark of 32(14-18-0) for a total of 28-points. Sunday's 9-4 humbling episode at the expense of high-tech, high octane Cincinnati brought to a brusque halt the IceMen modest 2-game win streak at home where they had out-goaled the beleaguered and embattled visiting teams, 12-4. Home records since the second-half; 12(6-6-0); since the New Year; 13(7-6-0); since the All-Star break; 7(3-4-0). The longest win skeins of the season at home have been 4-in a row and 3-in succession. Longest home ice losing spell has been 5-consecutively which represent the initial five home dates of the season.

FOREIGN ICE AFFAIRS: Having a single game on their foreign ice docket for the past week, the IceMen saw their modest two-game win streak in enemy territory dissolve when they were derailed in Toledo by the vivified and aroused Walleye, 7-1 on Saturday night. Evansville had actually reigned supreme in 3 of their last 4 alien ice invasions until Saturday night's swoon. For the season, the road record stands at 28(8-15-5) with 6 of those 8-triumphs collected on Saturday night. Road log since the second-half; 12(4-6-2); since the New Year; 13(4-7-2); since the All-Star break; 10(3-6-1).

DIVISION DIRECTION: With 12-games remaining on their 72-game regular season schedule, the IceMen have, once again, fallen two games under the .500 within their own North Division at 36(15-17-4). Against the South Division; 12(4-8-0); against the Atlantic Division; 12(3-8-1).

THE TOP GUNNERY GUYS: Center Todd Robinson has ascended to fifth in the ECHL scoring derby with 52(6-56-62) while the injured Josh Beaulieu 56(22-31-53) is 16th in the league elite. Robinson's 56-assists and 29-PPA both top the loop while his 29-PP/Points rank league-wide runner-up. Beaulieu's 11-PPG rank as fourth most in the league. Daniel Tetrault is ranked 14th in the ECHL in scoring among defensemen with 59(8-20-28).

PATRICK THE PROLIFIC: Second-year left wing Patrick Kennedy enjoyed one of his best weeks yet since arriving on the Evansville hockey scene at the inception of this season. The past week, the Dorchester, Ontario native authored 3-points in 3-games on 1-goal, 2-assists with 1-SHG, 13-SOG and +1 rating. In last Thursday night's victory verdict on home ice against Toledo, the Cornell U. product electrified the Ford Center crowd with a high-flying shothanded bandit coast-to-coast flight which spurred the IceMen to a spine-tingling 6-3 victory verdict. He recently completed his season's best 5-game point streak with 5(1-6-7). Kennedy is the IceMen nomination for ECHL Player of the Week.

ELEVEN ELECTRIC: #11 IceMen swift-skating center Jason Dale achieved yet another banner week for the hometown team. In 3-games, he authored 3-more points; 3(1-2-3) with +1 rating. The Pickering, Ontario product delivered the key, touch-in-the-clutch ENG late in the third period as the IceMen staved-off a late furious Walleye flurry to capture the 6-3 conquest. Dale recently completed his best two scoring streaks of the season; 5-game point streak; 5(3-4-7); three game goal-scoring skein with 3(3-1-4).

T.ROB ROCK `N' ROLL: All-Star center Todd Robinson continues to be the major marquee man for the hometown team. The 14-year veteran point-meister has enjoyed a magnificent second-half of this season. In his last 10-games; 10(3-15-18); averaging a prodigious 1.8 points per game. In his last 19-games; 19(4-26-30); last 21-games; 21(5-33-38). His season, Robinson has amassed a league-high 56-assists in only 52-games.

ANDRE ON FIRE: Recently acquired right wing Andre Bouvet-Morrissette has re-discovered his scoring touch since his arrival on the Evansville scene. The past week, the erstwhile Cincinnati Cyclone stashed 2-more goals including 1-GWG. Skating a regular shift for the first time in his rookie pro season, the IceMen newest edition has registered 4-goals and 2-assists in his first 6-IceMen outings. The 39-goal cannoneer last year with the QMJHL Drummondville squad has also cannonaded an OTSO/GWG for Evansville.

OLIVER ALIVE: Promising left wing Oliver Gabriel has endured a season rift with a series of serious maladies. Nevertheless, undaunted and untrammeled, the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets chattel has persisted and persevered to the tune of his first 2-goals of the current campaign. This past Sunday, the sharp-shooting forward seemed to split the night's air with a pair of unholstered humming howitzers in the third period of his team's setback to Cincinnati. In the process, Gabriel was hailed as the game's #3 Star.

SPECIAL TEAMS TAMED: The Evansville special teams have been magnificent all season long epitomizing the very essence of consistency, congruity and continuity. Perhaps, the law of averages may have enveloped them this past weekend. The power play failed to fructify on its last 4-advantages spanning the latter two games after it had been percolating at a highly-proficient level of 4 for the last 10; 40% and 10 for the last 32; 31.2%. Evansville's extra man band has climbed to #7 in the ECHL. As far as the penalty-killing cast of characters is concerned, proving, once again, that special teams hockey is streaky hockey, the IceMen personify such persona at this juncture of the season. After an amazing streak of 33-consecutive successful penalty-killing efforts, the IceMen have uncharacteristically surrendered a rather munificent 6-PPA over the past 2-games. Toledo was 3-6 in its Saturday night defeat of the IceMen followed by Cincinnati's 3-5 prolific performance on its man advantage in its Sunday victory over the IceMen. Last 2-games, the opponents are 6-11 on the power play.

THE MILESTONES STORE: Defenseman Jake Obermeyer (197) is 3-games away from pro career 200. Todd Robinson 923(340-948-1,288) is 2-assists away from 950 and 12-points shy of 1,300. IceMen head coach Rich Kromm (394) is 6-wins away from 400; he has collected 83 of those victories behind the IceMen bench. The IceMen have employed 49-players thus far this season. The "Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli (3,482) is 18-games away from 3,500 hockey play-by-play broadcasts in his professional career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen have posted a 21(12-6-3) record when leading after the first period thus far this season. They are 24(19-2-3) when entering the third period enjoying the lead. In their 5-games, the IceMen have generated 21-GF for a GFA of 4.25. In their last 8-games, they have made connection on 32-GF for a GFA of 4.00. In suffering 3-straight setbacks this season at Toledo, the IceMen have been outscored by the Walleye, 15-2. When they trembled to Cincinnati Sunday, 9-4, it marked the first time this season that the IceMen scored 4-GF in a game and sustained the setback. They had been 12(11-0-1) in that particular department.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH THE ICEMEN AT KALAMAZOO 6:30 PM

For the ninth time this season, the North Division foes will test one another's might and mettle. From the IceMen perspective, the series is balanced at 8(3-3-2), though, the IceMen are winless at Wings Stadium thus far this season. Kalamazoo is the three-time defending Eastern Conference North Division titlist. However, this season, the Wings are in the fight for their post-season playoffs' lives.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH THE ICEMEN AT CINCINNATI 6:30 PM

The IceMen have three more meetings awaiting them against the first place Cincinnatians with all three offerings on the docket for the "Queen City." The IceMen are 10(4-5-1) against the Cyclones and 5(1-3-1) at U.S. Bank Arena. Evansville extracted a stirring 4-3 verdict in their first-ever sojourn there back on November 15th. However, since then, the IceMen are 4(0-3-1) in their last 4-bouts there, being outscored by a mammoth margin of 20-7. The Cyclones open the new week enjoying their longest win streak of the season at 7-in a row; they are a gaudy 13(12-1-0) in their last 13-chapters written.

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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