Ice Get Back on Track with 4-2 Win
January 3, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
The Indiana Ice proved Monday's loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks was an aberration. After giving up a season-high eight goals, the Ice got back to basics and skated off with a 4-2 victory over the Cedar Rapids Roughriders Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
In the first game of back-to-back games with the Roughriders, Indy tightened the defense and were efficient on the offense while improving their conference-leading record to 17-6-4.
Nobody was happier than Indiana forward Brian Pinho after having an off-night on Monday and roaring back with pair of assists on the Ice' second and third goals.
"I played harder defensively and came in with a better scheme. I replayed Monday in my mind," Pinho stated after having a plus +2 evening. "I was moving my feet better and finding the open man."
Indiana opened the scoring :50 seconds after the opening puck drop when Scott Conway notched his team-leading 15th goal of the season. The 6'-0', 180-pound forward charged the net and it appeared Cedar Rapids goaltender Danny Tirone had all his attention on Mitch Hults - who was alone in front of his net. Conway stuffed a shot through his glove side with Alex Talcott and Chris Martenet being credited with assists.
Pinho got his first assist of the contest when he fed defenseman Michael Preston on a blue line slap shot at 11:36 of the middle frame. Hults received the second assist on the play.
"I tried to change the angle on the slap shot and put it through," commented Preston. "We did a good job tonight as we concentrated on keeping the puck in their defensive zone."
The visitors converted on the power play :37 seconds into the third period to narrow the lead to 2-1 before Josh Jacobs regained the two-goal margin at the 11:51 market of the final frame. Jacobs buried a backhander on a rebound of his own shot. Pinho and Tyler Andrews collaborated on the scoring sequence.
The RoughRiders make it interesting when they closed the gap to 3-2 with 4:47 remaining. After pulling Tirone in lieu of an extra skater, Alex Talcott scored an empty net goal 12 seconds before the final horn.
Jason Pawloski stopped 23 of 25 visitor shots to earn the win in net for Indiana. The two teams meet again tonight at 7:05 pm from Pan Am Pavilion.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2014
- Hawks Snatch Win from Fargo - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Defense and Goaltending from Host Musketeers Stones Muskegon's Offense - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Tri-City Outworks Stampede for 5-1 Win - Tri-City Storm
- Phantoms Seek Answers as Skid Hits Nine - Youngstown Phantoms
- Johansson Stops 23, Shuts out Stars 3-0 in Dubuque Debut - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lancers Tripped Up By Des Moines, 3-2 - Omaha Lancers
- Stampede Roughed up by Tri-City at the Arena - Sioux Falls Stampede
- U.S. Advances to World U17 Challenge Title Game - U.S. National Team
- Ice Get Back on Track with 4-2 Win - Indiana Ice
- Ice Alum Headed to the Olympics - Indiana Ice
- Lumberjacks Attain Daniel Willett in Trade with Lincoln - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Carlson to Fight for Red, White and Blue - Indiana Ice
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