IceMen Weekly

Published on November 21, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


ICEMEN MATTERS: Completing the past two games work load work week with a 2(1-1-0) mark, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League applied the finishing touches to an extended five games' home stand at their home of Swonder Ice Arena with a record of 5(3-2-0). Having bowed in two of the latter three home ice episodes, the IceMen continue to truly thrive on Friday nights while looking to survive on the Saturday night dates. Thus far, through their initial five Friday night endeavors, the IceMen have compiled a superb record of 5(4-1-0), including an impressive, impeccable home mark of 3(3-0-0). However, Saturday nights have been a slightly different state of affairs for the hometown team as they have managed a mere one victory in a half dozen such dates; 6(1-4-1) with the team winless at Swonder on Saturday since the home opening night back on October 23rd when they dispatched Quad City, 6-3. Since that time, the men of Evansville pro hockey have been winless in their last 3-home starts at 3(0-2-1). Through the first six weeks of the 2010-11 CHL campaign, the IceMen have assembled a record which is one game over the .500 barrier at 14(7-6-1) totaling 15-points. Evansville commences the Thanksgiving holiday week integral in the middle of a tight, taut-fraught Turner Conference banner chase and race. Remarkably, a scant 6-points distinguish first place Colorado from 8th place Wichita. On this holiday week, General Manager/Coach Rich Kromm's kinetic contingent confronts 3-games in 3-nights with the first one abroad and the latter two coming at the friendly climes and environs of Swonder. Thanksgiving night, the IceMen make a holiday pilgrimage to Dayton where they will be guested by the Gems. The latter two IceMen contests will be on home ice; Friday night on "80's Night" they tangle truculently with three-time reigning IHL league champion Fort Wayne before the Tulsa Oilers of the Berry Conference, make their lone appearance in Evansville this season.

PRIMO PROMOS PRESENTED: For the IceMen two home appearances this weekend to close their November home slate, the IceMen will present two attractive, fun promotion nights. This Friday night will be "80's Night" with all IceMen fans urged and encouraged to dress in the style of the `80's with special prizes given away for the best ensemble renditions of this particular era. Saturday night will be "Eye Chart Night" presented by Eye-Mart.

NOT A CHECKERED RECORD: Completing last week's two-games work week with a 2(1-1-0) mark, the IceMen have now completed the first six weeks of their maiden voyage existence in the AA/CHL. Through their first 14-games, they have registered a record of 14(7-6-1) for 15-points. The IceMen concluded their extended 5-games' home stand with a 5(3-2-0) record, trembling in 2 of the last 3-outings on the home stay. They are 6(4-2-0) in their last 6-starts, outscoring their adversaries, 24-14. The IceMen are 8(5-3-0) in their last 8-decisions, out-goaling the competition opposition, 33-23. The longest win streak thus far this season has been 3-in a row. Meanwhile, the longest winless stretch has been 3(0-2-1). The IceMen's best level this season has been 2-games above the .500 barrier which they have attained twice at this stage of the season.

HOMESTEAD STANDING: Having capped their extended 5-games' home stand with a 5(3-2-0) mark, the IceMen's two setbacks were incurred through the latter trio of outings at Swonder. For the season, the Evansville home mark stands at 8(5-2-1) with the 5-home ice triumphs matching the overall CHL league high at this hour of the campaign. The IceMen are 3(1-2-0) in their last trio of tries at home. The longest home win streak of the season has been 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0) with two of those victories achieved on Friday night and the third success realized on Thursday night.

BACK ON THE BUS WITH US: When the IceMen make their Thanksgiving Day journey to Dayton on Thursday, it will be their first game on foreign ice since back on November 9th. On that latter date, they halted a 3-game losing skid in hostile territory with a 5-2 trumping of the RiverKings in Mississippi. For the season, "The Kromminator" crew is 6(2-4-0) at the enemies' haunts with both victories extracted from the aforementioned RiverKings.

THE CONFERENCE REFERENCE: Thus far, the IceMen have played 10 of their first 14-games within the hallowed confines of their own Conference boundaries, posting a Turner Conference mark of 10(4-5-1). Meanwhile, when they fell to Mississippi on home ice Saturday night, 3-1, the IceMen absorbed their initial undoing against the Berry Conference competition thus far this year. For the season, they are a stellar 4(3-1-0) outside the conference, outscoring those foes, 19-7.

GOAL GUSHING / GA HUSHING: When they doused Dayton on home ice Friday night, 6-4, the IceMen produced 5 or more goals in a single game for the sixth time over their first 13-games. They are a perfect personified, exemplified 6(6-0-0) when their offense percolates and resonates in such prolific fashion. Not to be superseded has been the overall performance of the Evansville defense. Through the past 6-games, the IceMen have grudgingly surrendered a menial 14-GA for a GAA of a thrifty and nifty 2.33. The IceMen have allotted 5-GA in a single game a mere one time thus far this season, yet another testimony to their stubborn defensive persona. In that game, they prevailed over Quad City, 6-5.

ELITE STREET STELLAR: Center slick Nick Lindberg is ranked 4th in the CHL scoring derby with 14(4-17-21); 13th Bo Cheesman 14(6-10-16); 18th Brian Bicek 14(7-8-15); Damian Surma 14(7-8-15). Lindberg's 17-assists top the loop while his 8-PPA rank runner-up in the CHL. Bicek's 4-PPG rank tied for #2 in the league. Mario Larocque (60) is CHL 5th in SOG. The IceMen possess 3 of the top 4 in minor penalties in the league; 1- Larocque (17) 2- (tied) Jordan Little (16) 4- Joe Grimaldi (15). Larocque (2), Surma (2) rank 5th in GWG. Among the CHL Rookie Leaders, 13- Chris Campanale 14(3-3-6); PIM; 2- Jordan Lane (43); Majors; 1- Lane (5). Defense Scoring Leaders: 4- Larocque 14(6-6-12); 11- Grimaldi 10(5-4-9); 19- Nick Schneider 14(1-5-6); Jordan Little 14(0-6-6). Goals: 1- Larocque (6); 2- Grimaldi (5). GWG; 1- Larocque (2). In the Goaltending category: Matt Lundin is ranked 15th with a GAA of 2.71. He is 4th in MIN: 597:09; 4th in SAVES: 301 and 4th in WINS: 6.

NELSONIAN PUCK PLUTONIUM: Eighteen year veteran center Jeff Nelson enjoyed his best week yet for the IceMen his season. Evansville's smooth-move center was hailed and heralded the "Star of the Game" the past Friday night in his team's comeback 6-4 victory verdict over nagging nemesis Dayton. Evansville's "Train #9" masterfully maestroed a 4-points masterpiece which included 2-goals, 2-assists and brilliant +3 rating. His first strike was stoked on the power play and his second was triggered into the vacated cage to cement the success over the Gems. For the season, "J.Nel" is virtually averaging a point a game with 14(4-9-13).

THE "CAMPY" CAPER: First year right wing Chris Campanale derived some fun and enjoyment from his team's 6-4 gratifying and satisfying victory over always formidable Dayton the past Friday night. The former captain of American International College actually emanated and culminated his club's 4-goal second period uprising against the Gems with his first-ever 2-goal polished performance as a pro. His 2-goal output in the period actually eclipsed his entire goal outlay from last year when he was handicapped with a myriad of maladies in his senior year with the Yellow Jackets.

DAMIAN DAZZLE: Ten year pro Damian Surma is enjoying some of his finest moments in his decade in the professional ranks. Averaging over a point a game in his team's first 14-games of the season, the opportunistic center/left wing has been bedazzling with his timely touch in the clutch scoring. In Friday night's 6-4 dismissal of Dayton, the suburban Detroit native delivered his second GWG of the season in the third period. His rocket shot, which seemed to split the night's air, was cannonaded a mere :35 after the Gems had made matters somewhat squirmingly uneasy for the home standing "Men of Ice" as their advantage had diminished to a scant singleton. For the night, "Sur" Damian was the artisan architect of 3-points and a majestic +3 rating. In his team's Saturday night setback against Mississippi, he was accorded the game's #3 Star and the IceMen Star of the Game.

BARRICADE ESCAPADE: Last week, Matt Lundin became the first-ever Evansville IceMen player to be honored with a league-wide award, being acclaimed the Oakley/CHL Goaltender of the Week. This past week, the former Mercyhurst College MVP divided his two starts in two nights with a 2(1-1-0) mark. When his club fell short Saturday night against Mississippi a couple of his personal positive streaks ended. The Evansville human puck barricade had won 4-consecutive starts and had been undefeated on home ice at 6(5-0-1). In his last 5-starts, Lundin is 5(4-1-0) with a GAA of a 2.20.

DISPARITY PRONOUNCED: Through their first 14-games of the season, the IceMen have already been branded shorthanded a league-high 101-times. At the same time, they, themselves have only enjoyed 74 power play advantages for a wide disparity of 27-times. Nevertheless, the IceMen special teams continue to excel. The power play is ranked a lofty 4th in the CHL, operating at 21.6 proficiency; 16-74 with 14 of those PPG generated over the past 10-games. Meanwhile, the overly-burdened penalty-killing outfit is still ranked reasonably well at circuit 6th; 86-101 for an efficiency rating of 85.1%. On home ice, they have been even better, rated #3 in the loop at 50-57 for a mark of 87.7%. The IceMen's 4-SHG tie them for the league-leadership.

HISTORY HAPPENING: Right wing John DiPace appeared in his 500th pro career game in Friday night's 6-4 verdict over Dayton. Jeff Nelson (1,086) is 14-points away from pro career 1,100. Damian Surma's next goal will be the 150th of his pro career. Mario Larocque (295) is just 5-points away from pro career 300.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": In their 6-4 trumping of Dayton Friday night, the IceMen matched their best single period goal output of the season with a 4-goal second period barrage. In their first 3-meetings with Mississippi this season, the IceMen are 2(2-0-0) in Southaven and 1(0-1-0) at home as home ice advantage has represented no advantage whatsoever between the two teams. In their 7-wins this season, the IceMen have been outshot by the opposition in 6 of those 7-wins. Nicklas Lindberg 7(3-11-14) had his season's personal best 7-game point streak severed Saturday in the setback inflicted by Mississippi.

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH THE ICEMEN AT DAYTON 6:00 PM

For the fourth time and the third time in as many weeks, the two intra-conference foes lock antlers for overall positioning in the standings. The Gems lead the season series, 3(2-1-0) with the IceMen finally breaking through in the last action the past Friday night at Swonder where the prevailed, 6-4. In the lone previous encounter at Hara Arena back on opening night, October 16th, the Gems gained the 3-1 triumph despite being outshot by Evansville, 38-22.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH FORT WAYNE AT EVANSVILLE 7:30 PM

The third time the two newly-created state of Indiana Turner Conference archenemies tangle and the second time in Evansville. The series is balanced at 2(1-1-0) with home ice advantage tantamount to ultimate success. In the more recent of the two clashes, the IceMen prevailed, 3-2, back on November 12th at Swonder Ice Arena.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH TULSA AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM

For the first time ever, the IceMen and the Oilers will duel in the first of two meetings of the two teams and Tulsa's lone appearance here this year. The IceMen are 4(3-1-0) against Berry Conference opposition, outscoring them, 19-7.

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. Coming soon is "IceMen Live," the IceMen's own two-hour Monday night radio show from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, also on WEOA-AM 1400. "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli has all of the IceMen action all season long. The IceMen game broadcasts and "IceMen Live" Monday night radio show soon will be heard on the world-wide internet through flagship station WEOA-AM 1400. 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. 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 "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; Schnucks" West Side or at the Roberts Stadium Box Office; by phone (812) 476-1383.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2010


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