Icemen Back Home After Successful 3-Game Road Trek

January 24, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


ICEMEN MATTERS: It appears, perhaps, that the tide has turned for the inaugural AA/CHL maiden voyage season of the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League. Under the astute and argute auspices of General Manager/Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen have launched the second-half of their 66-games' regular season schedule on the high side in the form of a winning record. Through the initial 7-games of that second-half, the icers of Evansville pro hockey entertainment and excitement have compiled a vastly elevated and upgraded mark of 7(4-3-0) totaling 8-points with all 4 of those victory verdicts attained abroad. To amplify and magnify the impact and import of the club's recent accomplishments, one only has to peruse the recent team schedule to ascertain that the IceMen have just completed a grueling, ghoulish span of playing 14 of their last 17-games on the road. For the total campaign, the "Evansville Six" have posted a mark of 40(14-21-5) for 33-points and a two points advantage over principal archrival Fort Wayne 36(13-18-5)31-points for the coveted eighth and final playoff berth in the Turner Conference standings. However, the Komets do possess the potential luxury of 4-games in hand over Evansville. This week, the IceMen make an almost rare cameo appearance at the Swonder Ice Arena where they host a pair of weekend encounters on the upcoming weekend. This Friday night, the menacing Mallards of Quad City swoop into town before those amazing Dayton Gems arrive for a Saturday night clash.

"ICEMEN LIVE" IS ON THE AIR!: Following an one week hiatus due to the cumbersome travelogue, "IceMen Live" returns at its regular Monday night haunt of Show-Me's East on flagship radio home WEOA-AM 1400 and on the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com. This week, "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli, will welcome team leading scorer Nicklas Lindberg and left wing Mark Cody as his special guests. "IceMen Live" is two full hours of IceMen hockey fun from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

PRESENTING PRIMO PROMOS: The IceMen organization will be presenting more primo promotions to add some spice and sparkle to the two Swonder Ice Arena home games coming up this weekend. Friday night's game event introduces "Friends and Family Night." All season-ticket holders, sponsors and families of the IceMen receive a special opportunity to obtain discounted tickets for the game. On Saturday night, it has been designated "Mascot Night." All area business mascots will be in attendance and participate in many of the event night activities including a special, entertaining Broomball game during the first intermission.

IT'S AN UPSWING THING: The vast improvement of the IceMen on-ice product became even more crystallized the past week when they captured a coveted 3-game Western road swing with a winning record of 3(2-1-0). To emphasize the magnitude of the accomplishment were the two formidable, fractious foes they faced on foreign ice; perennial CHL powerhouse Colorado and league coronated kingpins, the Rapid City Rush. Through the first 7-games of the season's second-half, the hometown team has assembled a masterful winning record of 7(4-3-0). For the season, the record stands at 40(14-21-5)33-points. All 4 of their January triumphs have been toasted from the far away road warfare. The longest win streak of the season has been 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0). The longest losing streaks of the season have been 5-in a row and 4-in succession. The latest ledger monthly: October 6(2-3-1); November 12(6-6-0); December 13(2-7-4); January 9 (4-5-0).

SWEET SWONDER SUCCESS SEARCH: With the IceMen flourishing on foreign ice, it is now time to address and redress at the home address of Swonder. Presently, the losing spell on the home range has reached an excruciating 5-in a row and the winless stretch at a half-dozen dates; last 6(0-5-1). Evansville's last home ice act of celebration and jubilation was way back on December 3rd when they doused Dayton, 3-2; last 10 at home, 10(1-8-1); last 12-home, 12(2-9-1). Both interestingly and ironically, the IceMen actually inaugurated their home schedule this year with an impressive 5-game unsullied skein; 5(4-0-1). The longest win streak at home has been 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0).

ROAD WARRIORS WINNING!: Having just completed a strenuous stretch of playing 14 of the last 17-games on the lonesome CHL roadways, the IceMen have been deservedly anointed the consummate road warriors. They have prevailed impressively in 4 of their last 5-starts when invading hostile territory; last 5(4-1-0). Moreover, Evansville's last 5-overall victories have all been brewed abroad. Included in that grand achievement is a season's best 3-game road win streak; 3(3-0-0). In their last 11-games on the road, the IceMen of Evansville have achieved an excellent winning mark of 11(5-4-2), garnering 12-points in those 11-games. The IceMen have gained more road wins (8) than home wins (6).

TURNER TUNING: With their 3(2-1-0) win mark on that 3-game road junket the past week, the IceMen have ameliorated their in-conference, Turner Conference mark to 31(11-15-5). The 11-victories have been recorded in such fashion: Dayton (3-wins); Fort Wayne (3-wins); Quad City (3-wins); Colorado (1-win); Rapid City (1-win). The IceMen are 9(3-6-0) when stepping outside their conference walls, having lost those 6-consecutively against the Berry Conference.

GOAL POLE POLISH: The IceMen offensive machinery and weaponry have been pinpoint precision proficient during their recent renaissance. The cannons of the cavalry have connected on a minimum of 3-GF for the past 9-consecutive outings, totaling 32-GF for a GFA of a prolific terrific 3.56. Defensively, improvement has also been realized as exhibited extraordinarily by the "stat fact" that Evansville's premium pros have limited the opposition to a paltry 13-goals in its 8-road triumphs for a GAA of a miserly, microscopic 1.62.

MEN OF DISTINCTION MISSION: Swede center Nicklas Lindberg has climbed to 10th in CHL scoring wizardry with 40(12-35-47) while Brian Bicek has soared into the top 20 excellent elite with 40(18-23-41). Lindberg's 35-assists and 15-PPA both rank circuit 6th; Bicek's 4-SHG tie him for the league-leadership. Mario Larocque has surged to 6th in CHL defense scoring with 40(9-18-27). Larocque's 9-goals and 142-SOG both rank #2 among this season's CHL blue line brigade. Larocque's 12-PPA list him as 3rd best. Nick Schneider shares the CHL top perch in SHA by defensemen with 2. Braden Desmet 34(4-13-17) is 10th in CHL rookie scoring; Lee Zalasky 40(5-8-13) is 18th in the same category. Jordan Lane's 100-PIM and 10-majors top league freshmen. The IceMen still have the top two in the CHL in minors; 1- Larocque (40); 2- Jordan Little (38).

NELSONIAN PUCK PLUTONIUM: Smooth-move center Jeff Nelson enjoyed an excellent weekend adventure in Rapid City. The classy 18-year pro maestroed a majestic 4-points' masterpiece through the 2-outings on 3-goals, 1-assist. To review his enormous performance, in Friday night's 6-3 undoing, he ignited the IceMen come back counterattack crescendo with a third period PPG, his club-high 6th, as his club nearly diminished the entire 4-1 deficit by closing to within 4-3. Then in the 4-2 Saturday night rematch success, the former IHL scoring titlist and MVP streamlined a pair of consecutive first period strikes and added the primary assist on the cinching, clinching ENG to earn the game's #1 Star. It was Nelson's second 2-goal game of the year as the minor pro prince reached the magical milestone of 1,100 career points.

MARIO "MAGNIFICO": Another IceMen veteran, defenseman Mario Larocque also relished the Rapid City weekend. The 13-year pro authored 4-points in the 2-games including 1-PPG and 2-PPA Friday night before delivering the key, primary assist on his team's pivotal, critical FG to spark the Saturday night conquest of the CHL kings. Friday night's 3-points performance was "The Rock's" first of the season.

BRIAN BRINGS IT: The IceMen's "Pocket Rocket," jet-streaming left wing Brian Bicek has been bringing it ever since the CHL All-Star Game back on January 12th. "Ice-Bice-Baby" is presently riding the crest of a 5-game scoring streak for Evansville's men of hockey labor with 5(4-5-9) in that span. The team's second leading scoring artisan currently has his club's third longest point streak of the season. The Bicek binge was actually fused when he connected on an electrifying 3-goal "hat trick," 4-points and +4 rating in the All-Stars 11-6 verdict over the Rapid City Rush.

THE JAKE JUGGERNAUT: Despite a brief tenure thus far, newly-acquired, second-year pro defense-man Jake Obermeyer has filled the bill beautifully. Obtained in a straight one-for-one deal from Rio Grande Valley during the IceMen's recent road trip for Bo Cheesman, the Robert Morris U., product has essayed 3-assists in his first 3-games including 2-assists on the 2-third period goals that shattered the 2-2 tie and catapulted his club into the victory heights to the tune of a 4-2 triumph at Rapid City. In addition, Evansville's newest rearguard carded a +2 rating for his week's workload.

MATT MAKING MOMENTS: Another of the newer acquisitions, left wing Matt Pierce is finding his way with punch and pay. The 4-year pro has already delivered 3-goals, 1-assist in his first 5-games under the employ of Evansville. All 3 of his strikes have been stroked in timely fashion. His first-ever Evansville goal was the OTSO/GWG in his debut. The past week, in the Wednesday comeback win in Colorado, he connected on the GTG to trigger the 3-2 triumph. Saturday night in Rapid City, he culminated the road expedition with the game-clinching ENG to bushwhack the home standing Rush, 4-2.

THE SET-UP CENTER: Team top scoring sultan center Nicklas Lindberg has become the assisting arranger. During the 3-game road trek, he engineered 5-assists; 3(0-5-5) including two consecutive 2-assists evenings in Rapid City; 2(0-4-4). A veritable model of consistency all season long, the 8-year pro has amassed 20-points in the last 15-games on 4-goals, 16-assists.

MASKED MYSTIC MARVEL MATT: Second year pro goaltender Matt Lundin has been the consum-mate workhorse between the pipes every one of the nights for the Evansville pro hockey work force. Playing every minute of every game in the 3-game Western road excursion, the former Mercyhurst College MVP saved his best for last in Saturday night's 4-2 triumph in Rapid City. Facing a season-high 48-shots, Lundin was scintillating, repulsing 46 of those salvos for the hard-earned road win.

TRIFECTA TRACK: The IceMen dormant power play awakened from its somnolent state to deliver 3-consecutive goals Friday night at Rapid City. Until that point, the power play was a rather impoverished 1 for the last 27. The 3-PPG represented the second most extra man strikes stoked by Evansville in a single game this season. The penalty-killing cast revived and redeemed itself on the road trip as well, limiting the opposition to just 2-PPG in 16-advantages for an efficiency rating of a supreme 87.5%. The IceMen have produced 9-SHG which rank as tied for second most in the league.

MAJOR MILESTONES MARVELS: With his 4-points the past weekend, Jeff Nelson reached the remarkable number of 1,100 pro career points in his very distinguished 18-year career. Defenseman Jordan Little's (299) next game will be pro career #300. Mario Larocque (198) is 2-assists away from pro career 200. Celebrating his 30th birthday in the IceMen 4-2 Saturday night win at Rapid City, Damian Surma is 10(8-4-12) in his last 10-games and 7-points away from pro career 350.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the IceMen defeated the Rush in Rapid City, 4-2, it was their first Saturday night win since their last and lone previous one of the season way back on October 23rd and their home opening night win over Quad City. Evansville had been winless in its last 11-straight Saturday night dates. Former Colorado LW Braden Desmet came back to roost when he scored the late GWG in his team's late, dramatic 3-2 win at Colorado against the Eagles. The IceMen have been outshot in 12 of their 14-wins this season. They have outshot the opposition in only 2-wins. Six players have played all 40-games this season; Brian Bicek, Mark Cody, Mario Larocque, Nicklas Lindberg, Damian Surma and Lee Zalasky.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28TH QUAD CITY AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM

For the eighth time this season, the IceMen and the Mallards will collide and for the fifth time the site and scene will be Evansville. From the IceMen's side of the ledger, the season series is even at 7(3-3-1). On home ice, the IceMen are 4(2-1-1) with the "Greenheads" prevailing in their last appearance here, back on January 8th, 7-4 on the impetus of a 5-goal third period resurgence that eradicated an Evansville 4-2 bulge.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29TH DAYTON AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM

This will be the ninth of 15-sessions to be staged for these two Turner Conference foes with this series also even on the IceMen side of the balance sheet at 8(3-3-2). Here, at home, the IceMen are 3(2-1-0) with their last overall victory at home gained in the Gems last appearance at Swonder back on December 3rd, 3-2.

THE ICEMEN "PUMP IT UP" ON WEOA-AM 1400: The New IceMen Cometh this season with all 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 to 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 ppm on WEOA-AM 1400 and at 1400amweoa.com. There are also IceMen daily reports throughout the day on the Townsquare Media family of radio stations; WGBF-FM 103.1 at 4:45 pm; WKDQ-FM 99.5; WJLT-FM 105.3 "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 Roberts Stadium Box Office; or by phone (812) 476-1383.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2011


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