IceMen Weekly
March 7, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
ICEMEN MATTERS: Having completed yet another rigorous regimen consisting of 7-games in 10-days, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League embark on the final three weeks of the 2010-11 league regular season and a schedule that numbers 8-more games remaining. Under the tutelage of General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen remaining games will be equitably divided with 4-more starts abroad and another 4-more at the homestead of Swonder Ice Arena. Evansville's pro hockey work force will have 3-more meetings on the docket with Dayton with 2 of those at home; 3-more bouts with Bloomington with all of those coming the final weekend of the regular phase in the form of a 3-game series in 3-days. The IceMen have one more clash on the agenda with both Quad City and Fort Wayne. For the season, the IceMen have compiled a record of 58(18-30-10) totaling 46-points and a 9th place residence in the CHL Turner Conference standings. They trail both Fort Wayne 56(27-23-6)60 and Dayton 56(28-24-4)60 by 14-points in the conference alliance. "The Kromminator" crew collected 7-points in those 7-games in 10-days through a record of 7(2-2-3) with 4 of those 7-decisions rendered through extra time. The IceMen actually garnered precious positional points in 5 of those 7-outings. This week, the "Men of Ice" will face a slightly more abbreviated agenda comprised of 2-games in 2-nights on the upcoming weekend. This Friday night, the IceMen have a date in Moline, IL with the Quad City Mallards before returning home to Swonder for their second of four attractive Saturday night dates on home ice this month. Saturday night has been designated as "Star Wars Night."
2011-12 SEASON TICKETS/DON'T BE LEFT OUT!: Season Tickets deposits are now being accepted for the exciting 2011-12 IceMen CHL pro hockey season as the IceMen prepare to move into the new state-of-the-art downtown Evansville arena for next season. To reserve your season seats now, contact the IceMen direct at (812) 435-8971 or by email at icemen.operations@yahoo.com.
ICEMEN LIVE PRESENTS: It's another fun-filled, informative and entertaining edition of the growingly popular Monday night radio show, "IceMen Live" this Monday night from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Show-Me's East on the IceMen exclusive radio flagship home of WEOA-AM 1400 and the world-wide internet at 1400amweoa.com. This week, "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli's special guests will be Jeff Nelson and Jeff Christian.
STAR WARS AT SWONDER: This Saturday night, March 12th when the IceMen lock antlers with the Dayton Gems, it has been designated as "Star Wars Night" at Swonder Ice Arena. All of the Star Wars characters will be in attendance and Darth Vader, himself will perform the ceremonial opening face-off.
RECORD RATE AT 58: There are 58-games down and 8-more to go for the IceMen in season one in the CHL. Through 58-dates, the Evansville icers have assembled a record of 58(18-30-10) for 46-points. Thus far, through 25-games in the second half of their schedule, the IceMen are 25(8-12-5) totaling 21-points. The IceMen are 7(2-2-3) in their last 7-starts, earning 7-points in 7-games with 4 of those 7-offerings protracted to extra time. The longest win streak of the season has been 3-in a row; the longest losing skein has been 5-consecutively; the longest winless skid 7(0-5-2). The monthly log books: October 6(2-3-1); November 12(6-6-0); December 13(2-7-4); January 11(5-6-0); February 12(2-7-3); March 4(1-1-2).
OVERDUE BREAKTHROUGH: When the IceMen conquered the Komets of Fort Wayne the past Saturday night in the thrilling theater of OT, 2-1, they halted a 4-game winless spell at Swonder being outscored, 20-6 in that span. It was Evansville's 9th home win of the campaign and its first at home since a February 12th trouncing of Quad City, 5-1. The 9-home wins match the total of victories earned abroad by the IceMen thus far this season. For the season, the IceMen home record stands at 26(9-13-4). Thus far in the second half, the home mark is at 11(3-6-2). The longest win streak at home has been 3-in a row; the longest losing streak at 6 and the longest winless spell at Swonder at 7(0-6-1).
ROAD SHOWING GLOWING: Throughout the current campaign, the IceMen seem to have always made a strong, stellar, representative and competitive stand on the road. For the season, their record stands at 32(9-17-6) totaling 24-points. Thus far in the second half, they have attained a respectable road log of 14(5-6-3) for 13-points in 14-games. In their last 4-abroad; 4(1-1-2) totaling 4-points in 4-games. The longest road win streak of the year has been 3-in a row while the longest losing spell has been placed at 3-in succession as well.
CONFERENCE COMPENDIUM: By registering a record of 4(1-1-2) for the opening week of the last month of the CHL regular season, against all fellow fractious foes from their own Turner Conference, the IceMen have improved their intra-conference composite to 45(15-21-9) for 39-points. Their best record is against archrival Fort Wayne 10(5-4-1) with a trio of those triumphs spirited away from the Komets home eminent domain. Evansville has also attained an overall winning mark against Dayton at 12(4-3-5). They are 10(4-5-1) against Quad City and winless at 6(0-4-2) against Bloomington. The IceMen completed their inter-conference schedule against the Berry Conference with a mark of 13(3-9-1).
THE TALLY TABLE: Through 58-games, the IceMen rank #17 in the CHL in GF with 162 for a GFA of 2.79. Only Quad City has produced fewer GF than have the IceMen this season. In 20 of their 58-games, the Evansville offense has been contained to the tune of less than 2-GF in a single game. When they score 5 or more goals in a single game, their record is 11(9-1-1). When they score 4 or more, their log reads 19(12-5-2). On the defensive side, the IceMen rank #16, allotting 218-GA in 58-games for a GAA of 3.79. When they stifled Fort Wayne in OT the past Saturday night, 2-1, it was the fourth time this season that the club had yielded a scant 1-GA in a single game and the fifth time in which they have parsimoniously permitted 1-GA or less.
THE TOP BRASS CLASS: Center Nicklas Lindberg, as he has all season, continues to lead the IceMen in point-productivity while ranking 14th overall in the CHL; 58(15-49-64). Brian Bicek is listed 24th best with 58(24-32-56). Lindberg's 49-assists rank as 6th most league-wide. Meanwhile, Bicek's 5-SHG tie him for the CHL league leadership. Mario Larocque's 15-goals rank second best in the CHL among defensemen as do his 3-GWG and 210-SOG. Larocque ranks 9th overall in defense scoring with 56(15-24-39). In CHL rookie scoring, Erik Boisvert is ranked 4th with 56(15-18-33). Boisvert's 15-total goals and 6-PPG both rank rookie runner-up while his 12-PP/points tie him for the league-lead among CHL rookies. Braden Desmet is ranked 10th among rookies with 52(7-17-24). Mario Larocque is 2nd (52); Jordan Little is 5th (48) in minor penalties. Jordan Lane 127-PIM and 13-majors top all rookies in those two departments. Goaltender Matt Lundin is 4th in the CHL in GPI with 40; MIN: 2,297:08 and SAVES: 1,136.
OVERTIME OVERDUE: When center Brian Bicek connected at 4:08 of OT to capture an IceMen 2-1 conquest of the Komets from Fort Wayne, it marked his team's first-ever victory in the 5:00 4-on-4 sudden-death session this season. One night earlier, "Ice-Bice-Baby" had dramatically delivered the GTG on an electrifying shorthanded bandit breakaway foray which eradicated a 4-2 third period and forged a 4-4 tie which forced the OT session. For back-to-back nights, for his majestic goal-scoring magic, Bicek was heralded the IceMen "Star of the Game." In his last 7-games; 7(4-4-8); in his last 22-games; 22(10-15-25).
THE MARIO SCENARIO: Veteran defenseman Mario Larocque continues to enjoy an outstanding second half of the season for the hometown team. His 15-goals top all IceMen defensemen and rank as the second most in the CHL defense corps. He connected on his team's sole goal Sunday in Fort Wayne where he victimized his erstwhile employer for the fourth time this season. In his last 11-games, "The Rock" is averaging over a point a game with 11(5-7-12).
"JC" SPARKS SPREE: Top-notch veteran left wing Jeff Christian continues to reap a bountiful hockey harvest since his arrival to Evansville through a waiver transaction with Mississippi. The newest member of the IceMen has engineered scoring points in each of his first 7-games with the IceMen; 7(4-6-10). Included in his output are 2-PPG and 1-SHG. His 7-game point streak equals the longest of the season for the IceMen. Previously, Nicklas Lindberg performed the feat twice and Brian Bicek did the trick on one other occasion.
IN THE CLICK WITH NICK: Eight-year Swedish ace center Nicklas Lindberg has truly emerged as the IceMen's consummate scoring virtuoso this season. Evansville's top scoring artisan has been partisan with scoring points for the hometown team. In his last 7-games, he has orchestrated a prolific 9-points on 2-goals, 7-assists. Moreover, in his last 21-games, he has averaged virtually an assist a game with 22(3-20-23). Furthermore, his 8-PPG pace the club as do his 6-FG.
"DESI DEUCE": Promising first year left wing Braden Desmet seems to be achieving some gradual growth and maturation as his rookie season further unfolds. The past Wednesday night in Fort Wayne, the former scoring standout from the U. of Wisconsin-Superior fashioned his first-ever 2-goal game in the professional ranks. In that contest, he delivered the game's FG and later the game's tie-breaking goal (TBG). He is ranked 10th in CHL rookie scoring this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS TOME: The IceMen power play ranks #17 in the CHL, operating at 15.6% proficiency at 45-289. It's 2 for the last 10; 20%; 3 for the last 13; 23.1%; 8 for the last 50; 16%. Evansville's power play has been prolific in its last 2-outings against Dayton, going 5 for the last 11; 45.5%. On the penalty killing side of the ledger, the IceMen rank 12th with the opposition being 64-349 for an efficiency ratio of 81.7%. Evansville has been shorthanded the most times in the loop with the opposition enjoying 60-more man advantages than have the IceMen. The penalty-killing unit has been masterful recently with the adversary only 1 for the last 16; 93.8% and 2 for the last 26; 92.3%. The IceMen's 13-SHG rank tied for second most in the league. The 12-SHGA also rank as the second most allowed this season in the CHL.
THE MISSION IN MILESTONES: Defenseman Jamie Lovell (397) is 3-games away from pro career 400. Brian Bicek (198) is 2-games from 200 as a pro. Bicek has now played 134-consecutive games dating back to last season. Jeff Nelson (746) is 4-assists away from career 750. Nicklas Lindberg's assist on Brian Bicek's OT/GWG Saturday night at home against Fort Wayne was the 250th helper of his pro career.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen have remained remarkably competitive in their fledgling CHL season with virtually one-half of their games decided by a scant 1-goal margin. In 27-such affairs, their record stands at 27(8-9-10). The IceMen and Dayton have now clashed in 6-consecutive extra time games with the IceMen 6(1-5) overall; OT: 4(0-4); OTSO: 2(1-1). Five of the last 11 and 6 of the last 14-games have been prolonged to extra time for the IceMen. Brian Bicek, Mark Cody and Nicklas Lindberg are the only 3-IceMen players to have played in all 58-games thus far this season. The IceMen are 19(9-3-7) when leading after the first period and 20(12-4-4) when entering the third period with the lead.
THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, MARCH 11TH THE ICEMEN AT QUAD CITY 7:00 PM
For the eleventh and final time this season, the IceMen and the Mallards will tangle. It will be Evansville's fourth expedition to Moline, IL where they are 3(1-2-0) on the campaign. The lone victory there was back on the last visit on December 22nd when the IceMen prevailed, 4-2. "The Greenheads" have claimed 3 of the last 4-collisions with all 4-bouts being waged in Evansville.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12TH DAYTON AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM
The IceMen and the Gems play each other 15-times this season. This will be game #13 with the Evansville squadron posting a 12(4-3-5) log against their southern Ohio rivals. The IceMen are 6(3-1-2) at home against Dayton. The last 6-consecutive clashes have resulted in extra time affairs with the IceMen 6(1-5) in that department.
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 1400amweoa.com. "The Voice of the IceMen," Terry Ficorelli has all of the action all season long. The IceMen can also be watched live ion 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 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; WGBF-AM 1280 at 4:35 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; by phone (812) 476-1383.
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