Indiana Taking Care of Home Ice
by Mike Wallin
Published on October 15, 2004 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice
Three home games, three victories. The Indiana Ice is starting their inaugural season in the USHL by taking care of business on home ice. After a thrilling 4-2 home opener victory last Saturday night, the Ice continued home ice excellence with a pair of victories against Chicago and Des Moines.
Thursday vs Chicago
Indiana won for the second consecutive time versus USHL Eastern Division foe Chicago with a convincing 4-2 victory. After skating forty-minutes of even matched hockey, the Ice took command in the final period and skated departed with their second win in two home starts.
"It's important for us to take advantage of home ice," said Indiana forward Todd McIlrath. "If we play exciting hockey at home and win some games, the fans will back us up and that will really make a difference as the season goes on."
The Ice power play came to life versus the Steel. Entering the contest with an anemic 1-17 man-advantage, Indiana erupted with three goals on seven opportunities. Garrett Roe, Tomas Klempa and McIlrath netted power play scores while Ryan Peckscamp added the lone even strength Ice goal.
Netminder B.J. O'Brien turned aside 28 Steel shots, improving his season record to 3-1 and dropped his goals against average to 2.50 while increasing his saves percentage to .918. T.J. Fox and Alan Thompson were the Chicago goal scorers.
Friday vs Des Moines
After a slow start to the game, the Indiana Ice found their stride and cruised to a solid 3-1 win over the Buccaneers. The "Danville Five" led the way for Indiana as Captain A.J. Panchenko played his normal rock solid defense while Travis Winter, Tomas Klempa, Todd McIlrath and Mike Beck powered the offense. The "Danville Five" are the one holdover from last season's Danville Wing team that relocated to Indianapolis.
McIlrath, Winter and Klempa all scored a goal and each added an assist on the night. Beck, contributed two assists from his blueline position as Indiana had little trouble disposing of the Buccaneers.
"These divisional games are setting up good rivalries for us," said Beck. "It's so big for us right now because we are playing teams that we will battle for playoff positions. We're at home for a nice stretch right now and it's real important that we show we can take care of business in our building."
Jake Maida was up for the task when called upon for the Ice in goal. Maida remained quiet in net for long stretches of time, but came up big when his team needed him most. In the end, Maida stopped 24 of 25 shots and also added an assist on McIlrath's goal.
"When I saw Todd score the goal, I realized that I may have gotten the assist on the play," said Maida. "For a goalie, that's pretty cool."
Next Up
The Ice continues at home as Cedar Rapids invades the Pepsi Coliseum Sunday afternoon at 5:00pm. Cedar Rapids is yet another USHL Eastern Divisional foe for Indiana. Through three games, the Roughriders are 2-0-1, having played all of their contests on the road. The game will be broadcast on ESPN950.
United States Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2004
- Indiana Taking Care of Home Ice - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- RoughRiders Offer Pay-Per-View Video Webcasts Beginning Tomorrow Night - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- RoughRiders' Home Opener Tomorrow - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Roberge added to Ice roster - Indiana Ice
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