IceMen Weekly

Published on March 13, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


ICEMEN MATTERS: Completing two games in as many nights the past weekend, the IceMen compiled a record for the week of 2(0-1-1) gaining one more point in the Central Hockey League's Turner Confer-ence standings. Under the direction of General Manager/Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen are at 60-games down with 6 more to go. Evansville embarks on the final two weeks of the regular season schedule with a record of 60(18-31-11) totaling 47-points. Residing in ninth place in the conference alliance, the Evansville icers will play 3 of those remaining 6-games abroad and 3-more on their home ice of Swonder Ice Arena. This week, "The Kromminator" contingent confronts 3-games in 3-nights with all 3-contests featuring Evansville's principal rivals; a home-and-home series against the Dayton Gems to conclude a mini-three-game series between the two intra-conference foes and a single affair with their Indiana state rivals, the always-formidable Fort Wayne Komets. The IceMen journey to Dayton for their lone foreign ice affair in this second to last week of the regular season on Thursday night for a St. Patrick's night duel with the Gems at Hara Arena before returning home for a pair of appearances on consecutive nights; a Friday night encore engagement against the Daytonites followed by a Saturday night clash with the Komets of Fort Wayne renown.

2011-12 ICEMEN SEASON TICKETS TIME!: Season ticket 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 tickets now, contact the IceMen direct at (812) 435-8971 or by e-mail at icemen.operations@yahoo.com.

ICEMEN LIVE LIVES: It's yet 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 live from 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 welcomes special guests, for the defense, #22 Nick Schneider and #44 Adam Knopp.

PROMO PROMINENT: For their two home games on tap for this weekend at Swonder Ice Arena, the IceMen promotions department, once again, is presenting some premium, prominent promotions for the whole family to enjoy. This Friday night, when the IceMen guest Dayton, it has been designated as "Bud Light Night" at Swonder as the IceMen raffle-off their season-long warm-up jerseys to some lucky IceMen hockey fans on this special night. Then on Saturday night when Fort Wayne comes calling, the IceMen will present Child Abuse Prevention Night, better known as "Rock the Rink for Kids." As part of this special Saturday night event, the IceMen and their all of their players will host a "Post Game Skating Party" with the IceMen players.

THE RECORD ROUND-UP: With 2-weeks and 6-games remaining on their 66-games' regular season slate, the IceMen have assembled a season mark of 60(18-31-11) for 47-points. Thus far, through 27-games of the season's second-half schedule, the hometown team has posted a record of 27(8-13-6) for 22-total points. In their last 3-games, they are 3(0-2-1) being outscored, 15-5. In their last 9-chapters written, the record stands at 9(2-3-4) for 8-points. Six of the last 13 and 7 of the last 16-games have seen the IceMen play beyond regulation time in either an OT or OTSO ultimate outcome. In those last 7-extra time decisions, Evansville record is 7(1-6). The longest win streak of the season has been 3-in a row; the longest losing skein has been 5-consecutively; the longest winless spell has been 7(0-5-2). The monthly precincts reporting: 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 6(1-2-3).

HOME HALL CALL: In their lone home performance the past week, the IceMen, once again, gained one more point for their overall record in a 5-4 OTSO ultimate outcome at Swonder Ice Arena against the Dayton Gems. For the season, through 27-home appearances, the IceMen have generated a composite mark of 27(9-13-5) for 23-points. In their last 3-starts at home; 3(1-0-2) attaining standings points in all 3-outings. In their last 8-starts at the home base, the record is 8(3-2-3) for 9-points. Evansville's second half home record is 12(3-6-3) for 9-points. The longest home win streak has been 3-consecutively; the longest losing streak at home has been 6-in a row and the longest winless skein has been 7(0-6-1).

FOREIGN AFFAIR WARFARE: In their only foreign ice excursion the past weekend, the IceMen sustained their third shutout of their debuting AA/CHL season when they absorbed a 5-0 setback in Moline, IL against the host team, the Quad City Mallards. It was Evansville's pro hockey work and file's second consecutive undoing in the warfare of foreign ice affairs. The IceMen are 5(1-2-2) in their last 5-foreign forays, earning 4-points in those 5-offerings. Thus far in the second half of their schedule, the IceMen are 15(5-7-3) abroad for a total of 13-points. Their last triumph in the enemy territory invasion department was back on February 26th when they thunderstruck the Komets in Fort Wayne, 5-3. The longest win streak away has been 3-in succession while the longest losing spell has been placed at 3-in a row.

CONFERENCE REFERENCE: In trembling in the Quad Cities Friday night, 5-0 before achieving a single standings point in a 5-4 OTSO result on home ice Saturday night against Dayton, the IceMen updated record within their own Turner Conference alignment is now at 57(15-22-10) for 40-points. Their best record is against archenemy Fort Wayne at 10(5-4-1) with a trio of those triumphs extracted from the Memorial Coliseum; 7(3-3-1). Coach Kromm's crew is 13(4-3-6) against Dayton and 11(4-6-1) when they oppose Quad City. However, they are winless in a half-dozen dates against Bloomington at 6(0-4-2). The IceMen have completed their inter-conference schedule against the Berry Conference with a record of 13(3-9-1).

VICISSITUDES & LASSITUDES: It has been an IceMen inaugural CHL campaign replete with highs and lows, peaks and valleys, and most of all, inconsistencies and incongruities. Nevertheless, the team has stayed the steady course no matter the adversity and diversity. The past weekend, the club was blanked for the third time this season with all 3-shutouts incurred over the span of 13-games. In Moline Friday night, the "Quack Attack" bested the men of Evansville pro hockey aggregation nation constellation, 5-0. In goal-scoring productivity, the IceMen rank 18th with a GFA of 2.77 with 166-GF in 60-games. They have been outscored, 10-1 in the last 2-expeditions abroad. Defensively, the IceMen rank 18th with a GAA of 3.80, having allowed 228-GA.

TOP BILLING BEST: Center Nicklas Lindberg continues to rank among the top scoring elitists in the CHL. Having played all 60-games, he is 60 (15-50-65). Brian Bicek 60(24-33-57) is listed as 25th best in the loop. Lindberg's 50-assists rank him 6th in that category while Bicek's 5-SHG tie him for the CHL league-leadership. Lindberg's 5-SHA tie him for the league's top spot in that particular department. Mario Larocque 58(16-25-41) ranks 8th overall in CHL scoring among defensemen. Larocque's 16-goals tie him for the league-lead while his 3-GWG and 221-SOG rank second best in the league among this year's blue line class. Left wing Erik Boisvert 58(15-18-33) ranks 4th in CHL rookie scoring with his 15-goals tying him for second most and his 6-PPG ranking as third best in the CHL. Mario Larocque (52) is tied for #2 in minor penalties; Jordan Little (49) ranks #5 in the circuit. Jordan Lane's 127-PIM rank rookie runner-up; his 13-majors top the loop. In the goaltending category, Matt Lundin is 4th in GPI: 41; 5th in MIN: 2357:08; and 5th in SAVES: 1,157.

NICK THE QUICK STICK: Second year pro defenseman Nick Schneider enjoyed one of the bigger and better thrills of his young career the past Saturday night when he propelled a pair of second period special teams' goals in a 5-4 OTSO outcome against visiting Dayton at Swonder Ice Arena. The former UConn standout connected on an early middle stanza power play strike before bookending his team and the same frame's scoring with a scintillating SHG. His 2-goal performance actually doubled his entire season output as he had entered the contest with a season total of 1-goal. The defensive-minded diminutive, dynamic defenseman was hailed and heralded the IceMen "Star of the Game."

THE CHRISTIAN PISTON: Veteran left wing Jeff Christian continues to validate his acquisition by the IceMen last month in a waivers transaction through Mississippi. Having his 7-game scoring streak, mir-roring his advent to the IceMen lineup, halted in Friday night's 5-0 setback at the Quad Cities, the 21-year pro, undaunted and untrammeled, bounced right back the very next night with another 2-points production on 1-goal (FG) and 1-assist to earn the game's #2 Star in that 5-4 OTSO result Saturday night against Dayton. In his first 9-IceMen outings, "J.C." has engineered 12-points on 5-goals, 7-assists.

"THE ROCK" SHOT SOCK: Top-notch defenseman Mario Larocque continues to possess sock in his shot. Voted the past week in the CHL's annual "Best of the Best" poll as the circuit's "Hardest Shooter," Evansville's blue line ace of the place fashioned another 2-points enormous performance the past Saturday night against Dayton at Swonder with 1-goal, 1-assist. In his last 13-games, "The Rock" has averaged over a point a game; 13(6-8-14).

THE "9" SHINE LINE: Veteran center Jeff Nelson remains the center of stability and solidarity for the home team this season. The 38-year old 18-year pro presently ranks 5th in the Evansville individual scoring derby with 56(14-26-40). The IceMen captain maestroed a masterful 2-assists Saturday night against Dayton. For the season, "J-Nel" has essayed and engineered 6-PPG of his own and two 2-goal games.

SPECIAL TEAMS TRIBUNE: The latest news on the IceMen special teams units is both promising and pre-eminent. The power play is ranked 17th in the CHL; 46-297 for a proficiency rating of 15.5%. The power play is 4 for the last 21; 19.0% and 7 for the last 38; 18.4%. Meanwhile the penalty-killing ensemble cast is operating at a listing of #10; 65-361 for an efficiency rating of 82 %. The shorthand band has been extraordinary in recent action as it is 11 for the last 11; 100%; 26 for the last 28; 92.9%; 35 for the last 38; 92.1%. Evansville is tied for circuit second in SHG with 14; the 14-SHGA by the club ties them for the most allotted this year.

HALLMARK HISTORY: Brian Bicek played in his 200th pro game Saturday night at home against Dayton. Dating back to last season, "Ice-Bice-Baby" has now played in 136-consecutive pro games. When the IceMen play in Dayton Thursday night, defenseman Jamie Lovell will play in his 400th pro career game. Venerable center Jeff Nelson (748) is 2-assists from pro career 750. With his 50th assist of the season Saturday night against Dayton, Nicklas Lindberg has attained the half-century plateau in helpers two times over the past 3-seasons, registering 49-assists last season, the lone season of the past 3 that he did not quite make it to the magic number 50.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The IceMen have now battled Dayton a remarkable 7-consecutive games into extra time, posting a 7(1-6) record overall; 4(0-4) in OT and 3(1-2) in the OTSO. The IceMen have remained steadfastly sound and solid from the competitive perspective as 28 of their 60-games have resulted in infinitesimal 1-goal verdicts, having garnered a mark of 28(8-9-11). Nicklas Lindberg ranks a lofty circuit second in OTSO goal-scoring proficiency at 4/6 for a rating of .667. His 4-OTSO goals tie him for the league'e best. Brian Bicek, Mark Cody and Nicklas Lindberg are the last 3-IceMen players to play in all 60-games this season. The IceMen have scored fewer than 2-GF in 21 of their 60-games this season. Brian Bicek finished #2 in the CHL "Best of the Best" poll for the league's "Fastest Skater;" Nicklas Lindberg was ranked #3 in the poll for the league's "Most Gentlemanly Player."

THE ICEMEN GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH THE ICEMEN AT DAYTON 6:00 PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH DAYTON AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM

The final two meetings of the season for the all-too-familiar Turner Conference enemies as the IceMen and the Gems collide 15-times for the season. Currently, Evansville is 13(4-3-6) against the Gems who are returning home following an ambitious 4-game road trek in which they produced a 4(1-2-1) mark with the lone triumph coming by way of the OTSO comeback success last Saturday night in Evansville, 5-4. The IceMen are 6(1-2-3) in Dayton with their lone victory coming back on Thanksgiving night, November 25th, 1-0. Evansville is 7(3-1-3) at home this year against the Gems.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19TH FORT WAYNE AT THE ICEMEN 7:30 PM

For the 11th and last time this season, the two Indiana state rivals will tangle truculently with the Komets making their fourth and final appearance here in Evansville. The last time the two teams tackled each here was back on March 5th when the IceMen captured their lone OT triumph of the season, 2-1 on a Brian Bicek OT strike late into the night. Evansville is 10(5-4-1) against the K's and 3(2-1-0) on home ice.

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 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 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; or by phone (812) 476-1383.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2011


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