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IceMen Arrive at CHL All-Star Break

January 9, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


ICEMEN MATTERS: With 35-games presently in the books and two games into the second-half of their 66-games' regular season schedule, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League will now pause and reflect during the league's All-Star Week. Under the auspices of General Manager/Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen have arrived at the All-Star break residing in the 8th and final playoff position in the Turner Conference standings with a record of 35(11-19-5) totaling 27-points. Their current standing may well be under siege as the three-time reigning IHL Turner Cup Champions, the archrivals, Fort Wayne Komets have been gradually inching-up on the pro hockey men from Southern Indiana. To make matters even more ticklish for the Evansville icers, is the issue of many games in hand. The IceMen have played five more games than the K's and still must tackle the Fort Wayners seven more times in the second half of the season with five of those bouts in the Komets venue. The hometown team is ranked 17th overall in the CHL 18-teams alliance as the club recently concluded a grueling span of playing 10 of 11-games on the road. This week, the IceMen will tackle two games in two nights with the first one away from home bay as for a second straight Friday night Fort Wayne will be the site for an encore engagement with the Komets. Saturday night, the Mississippi RiverKings come to town for the third and final time this season to be guested by the IceMen at Swonder Ice Arena. The latter game is the IceMen's lone home game for this week.

"ICEMEN LIVE:" It's another fun and entertaining edition of the Evansville IceMen hockey fans very own weekly two hour Monday night radio show, "IceMen Live" presented live from Show-Me's East on WEOA-AM 1400 and on the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com. "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli will welcome special guests 17-John DiPace and 54-Jordan Lane. Due to travel conflicts next week, "IceMen Live" will return two weeks from this Monday night's show, Monday, January 24th at the regular time of 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

KIOSK AT THE MALL: The IceMen organization's special Kiosk is still present and prominent near the food court of Evansville's Eastland Mall. All of the latest lines of merchandise are there including the IceMen new replica jerseys. The IceMen Kiosk will remain in Eastland Mall until January 31st.

THE TAKE AT ALL-STAR BREAK: The past week, the IceMen posted a record of 3(1-2-0) for the week being outscored 12-15. Through the first half of the schedule, they posted a mark of 33(10-18-5) totaling 25-points. Through the initial two outings of the second half, the record stands at 2(1-1-0). When they ambushed their archenemies, the Komets, Friday night in Fort Wayne, 3-1, the IceMen halted their 4-game losing streak which was one shy of matching their longest of the current campaign. They also ended a season-equaling 6-game winless spell; 6(0-4-2). It was their first win since December 22nd when they prevailed on the road in Quad City, 4-2. The latest team numbers: last 8(1-5-2); last 15(2-10-3); last 20(3-13-4); last 22(4-14-4); last 24(5-15-4). The longest win streak of the season has been 3-in a row; 3(3-0-0). The monthly markings: October 6(2-3-1); November 12(6-6-0); December 13(2-7-4); January 4(1-3-0).

HARDLY HOME: When the IceMen hosted and fell to Quad City Saturday night, 7-4, it was merely the squad's second home appearance since December 11th. With the setback, the IceMen saw their losing skein at Swonder reach 4-consecutively and their overall winless skid at the homestead reach 5(0-4-1), both representing their longest such streaks of the season. Evansville's last toast of success at the home lair was back on December 3rd when they clipped Dayton, 3-2. For the season, the home record stands at 16(6-8-2). Last 9 at home; 9(1-7-1); last 11(2-8-1). The IceMen actually launched the season with a 5-game unsullied streak at home; 5(4-0-1). The longest win streak at home this year has been 3-in succession; 3(3-0-0).

TWO FOR THE ROAD: On Friday night in Fort Wayne, the IceMen scotched and scuttled the stigma of a 3-game losing streak and 5-game winless span abroad, conquering the Komets, 3-1 in a command enormous performance. The victory was the IceMen's 5th on the road thus far this season and their first in two treks to the home of the three-time reigning IHL Turner Cup kingpins. It was the Evansville pro hockey's work force first win in the hostile environment since December 22nd in Moline, IL over Quad City. The IceMen's last 2-overall victories have now been gained on the road. The 5-road wins have been extracted accordingly: 2 in Mississippi; 1 each in Quad City, Dayton and Fort Wayne. Longest road win streak has been 2-in a row and the longest overall unblemished abroad skein has been 3(2-0-1) and 3(1-0-2).

CONFERENCE CONCLAVE: Despite their impressive victory Friday night in Fort Wayne, the IceMen have faltered and floundered in conference performance. Within their own Turner Conference, they have assembled a mark of 27(8-14-5) with a 12(2-8-2) mark through the past dozen dates. The 8-triumphs have been gained thusly: Dayton 3-times, Quad City, 3-times and Fort Wayne 2-times. Outside the conference boundaries, the IceMen, too, have staggered, having lost 5-consecutively after opening the season with a 3-game win skein against Berry Conference foes.

MORE GF BUT MORE GA: In recent action, the IceMen maligned offensive weaponry seems to be firing some real, lethal and deadly cannons in a full frontal assault. However, at the same time, the club has been far too generous defensively in the GA department. To elaborate, illuminate and otherwise enumerate, in the last 3-games, the IceMen have gunned 12-GF for a GFA of a prolific terrific 4.00. In that same span, the GA has been 15 for a GAA of a bloated 5.00. Furthermore, in their last 7-games, the GA is 35 for, again, a GAA of 5.00; the last 13-games, the GA is 63 for a GAA of 4.85. Evansville ranks 18th in the CHL for season GA with a GAA of 3.69.

TOP CROP CRAFTY: Silk center "Slick Nick" Lindberg ranks 8th in CHL league-wide scoring with 35(12-30-42). He is circuit 6th in assists with 30 and PP/Assists with 13. Brian Bicek is #1 in the CHL in SHG with 4 with Lindberg tied for the CHL's top perch in SHA with 3. Mario Larocque is listed 9th in the CHL in defense scoring with 35(8-14-22). His 8-goals rank as 4th most and his 126-SOG tie him for the league leadership among the defense. Larocque also tops the CHL in minor penalties with 38 with teammates Jordan Little (34) #2 and Nicklas Lindberg (29) having the third most. Braden Desmet 29(3-11-14) is 11th in CHL rookie scoring. Jordan Lane leads all CHL rookies in major penalties with 8.

PRECISION PREMIERE: Newly-acquired goaltender Jeff Harvey enjoyed an extraordinary debut in the IceMen goal Friday night at Fort Wayne. Having traveled all the way from Texas following his trade to Evansville the day before, the former standout of the WHL and U. of Saskatchewan was sprouting rubber limbs on demand in vacuuming 26 of 27-SOG in spearheading his new team's 3-1 victory verdict over the Komets. Having attained a winning record in every season he has ever played at both the major junior `A', Canadian college as well as the pro ranks, the St. Albert, Alberta native is 10(7-3-0) thus far this season with Bossier-Shreveport, Texas and now the IceMen.

"SIR DAMIAN" DAZZLE: Ten year pro centerman Damian Surma has been torching torrents lately. The former draft pick of the NHL Carolina Hurricanes has been especially extraordinary at the expense of Quad City this season. Evansville's premiere cannoneer with 17-goals, he has uncorked 9 of those strikes in 7-games against the "Greenheads," including all 3 of his team-high GWG and 3 of his team-best 4-multiple goal games. Overall, in his last 5-games; 5(5-1-6); last 12(9-2-11).

"LEE-Z-TOP:" First-year right wing Lee Zalasky appears to be coming into his own and coming of age under the tutelage of Coach Kromm. Having been weaned in the major junior `A' ranks by "The Kromminator" when the latter was behind the bench for the WHL Calgary Hitmen and the former was developing his trade, Zalasky was acclaimed the "IceMen Star of the Game" Saturday night as he connect-ed on a pair of goals 2:25 apart at 18:10 of the second period to shatter a 2-2 tie and at the 0:35 mark of the first minute of the third stanza. It not only was Zalasky's first ever 2-goal masterpiece as a pro but also the fastest 2-goals delivered by an IceMen player this season.

JORDAN JUST A LITTLE: Defensively-minded defenseman Jordan Little emerged unexpectedly as an improbable scoring hero in his team's 3-1 victory verdict in Fort Wayne. Little's left circle shot seemed to be heard all the way back to the Evansville environs as he cannonaded only his second goal of the season but the all-important GWG to earn the game's #1 Star. His uncanny knack of exemplary timing is duly noted since his lone previous goal of the year was percolated on the power play. Moreover, Little holds a rating of +2 for the year.

"ICE-BICE-BABY" BANDIT: Evansville's All-Star representative Brian Bicek will be arriving into Rapid City this week as the CHL's most dangerous shorthanded bandit. The IceMen's second leading scorer with 35(14-18-32) mesmerized, hypnotized, vandalized and electrified the adversary with 2-SHG in two games the past week's action. The "Pocket Rocket" fired a third period SHG Wednesday night at Bloomington in his team's 7-5 setback before performing the encore act in the second period Friday night to climax the IceMen's 3-goal blitz in 4:26 in the 3-1 victory in Fort Wayne. His 4-SHG top the loop with all 4-snipes snapped on the road against 4-different teams.

THE GAME IN SPECIAL TEAMS: The IceMen power play is presently rated 15th in the CHL, operat-ing at 16.3% proficiency; 29-178. After a disappointing 0-6 effort in Saturday night's 7-4 setback inflicted by Quad City, the IceMen power plant is 2 for the last 12; 16.7% and 5 for the last 25 for 20%. In the penalty-killing category, the IceMen rank league-wide 9th with the opposition 39-226 for an efficiency mark of 82.7%. The opponents are 6 for the last 19; 31.6%; 9 for the last 30; 30% and 11 for the last 39; 28.2%. Evansville has been shorthanded 226-times, the most in the league and 19-more times than all other member clubs. The IceMen have been shorthanded 48-more times than they have enjoyed power play time as the widest disparity in the CHL. Their 9-SHG tie for second most in the league while their 6-SHGA rank as the 5th most SHGA in the loop.

FAME FROM THE GAME: Damian Surma (498) is 2-games away from pro career 500. Jordan Little (295) is 5-games away from pro career 300. Jeff Nelson (1,095) is 5-points away from career 1,100. Tom Galvin's next game will be #425. Mario Larocque (195) is 5-assists from pro career 200.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": In the last 2-games, the IceMen have fashioned their fastest 2-goals of the season. In Friday night's 3-1 win in Fort Wayne, they struck with 3-goals in 4:26 in the second period only to top that standard the next night in their 7-4 loss at home to Quad City, scoring 3-goals in 3:27 combined late second and early third stanzas. By delivering two more 3-goal period productions on back-to-back nights the past weekend, the IceMen have now generated nine 3-goal frames this season. In their 11-wins this season, the IceMen have been outshot in 9 of them. The IceMen have won only 4 of 15 one-goal decisions this year. In their 5-road wins this season, the IceMen have surrendered only 6-GA for a GAA of 1.20. The IceMen are the worst third period team in the CHL, being outscored, 52-31. Saturday night travail for the IceMen as they are 12(1-9-2) on that day, having not won since their home opening night, October 23rd.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14TH THE ICEMEN AT FORT WAYNE 7:00 PM

For the second consecutive Friday night, the two teams tussle with the series all even at 4(2-2-0). Both teams are 2(1-1-0) at home and 2(1-1-0) on the road. As this season has unfolded, it has evolved into a thickening plot whereby the two in-state rivals are not only battling for Indiana pro hockey supremacy but also the coveted and hallowed 8th and final playoff berth in the Turner Conference.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15TH MISSISSIPPI AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM

After defeating the RiverKings in the first two sessions staged between the two inter-conference fractious foes, the IceMen have fallen prey in the latter quartet of offerings. The RiverKings are a perfect 2(2-0-0) in Swonder Ice Arena this year, limiting the IceMen to a menial 2-GF. For the season, Evansville is 6(2-4-0) against Mississippi with both of their victories coming in Southaven.

THE ICEMEN "PUMP IT UP" ON WEOA-AM 1400: The New IceMen Cometh this season with aall of the game broadcasts, home and away, play-by-play, all the way on "The Pump," WEOA-AM 1400 in Evansville, the exclusive radio home for the IceMen. The two-hour Monday night radio show, "IceMen Live," comes your way every Monday night from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, live from Show-Me's East, also on WEOA-AM 1400 and on the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com.. "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli has all of the action all season long. The IceMen can also be watched live on CHL-TV.

THE ICEMEN DAILY UPDATE REPORTS: Tune in every day even when there is not a game as Terry Ficorelli brings you up to date with "The IceMen Hockey Update," Monday through Friday at 4:20 pm on WEOA-AM 1400 and at 1400amweoa.com. There are also IceMen daily reports throughout the day on the Townsquare Media family of stations; WGBF-FM 103.1 at 4:45 pm; WKDQ-FM 99.5; WJLT-FM, "Superhits 105.3" and WDKS-FM "Kiss 106," all at 4:50 pm.

THE ICEMEN TICKET INFORMATION: IceMen tickets for all home games are on sale through the IceMen offices or by phone at (812) 435-8971. Also IceMen tickets may be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster Centers in Evansville; downtown at The Centre Box Office; Schnuck's West Side or at the Roberts Stadium Box Office; or by phone (812) 476-1383.

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