Mallards Top IceMen on New Years Eve in Evansville
December 31, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN - The Evansville IceMen finished off 2015 with their first winning month since October 2014. However, New Years Eve belonged to the Quad City Mallards, who defeated the IceMen 6-4 Thursday in front of 7,688 fans at the Ford Center. The IceMen finished December with a 6-5-2 record.
Quad City notched the game's first goal, when Anthony Collins finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play at 7:16 on a deflection over IceMen goalie Matt Zenzola. The Mallards received three power plays in the first period and converted on the third one. Matt Carey picked up a loose puck from a blocked shot and buried the rebound into a wide open net to give Quad City a 2-0 lead.
The IceMen outshot the Mallards 14-12 in the first period, but trailed by a pair of goals. Evansville was penalized eight times for 27 minutes in the frame.
A flurry of three goals in the first eight minutes of the second period sprung the IceMen into the lead. Alex Wideman ripped a wrist shot past the glove of Quad City goalie Steve Michalek 2:17 into the period. Alex Guptill then feathered a backhander off of Michalek and into the net to tie the game. 1:22 after the goal, Guptill set up Vincent Dunn for a one-timer from the right circle to put the IceMen in front 3-2.
Later in the stanza, the Mallards tied the score when Ryan Tesink deflected an Austin Coldwell point shot past Zenzola at 10:45. It was Coldwell's third assist of the night. Quad City jumped back in front at 14:17 of the period, when Vladimir Nikiforov snuck behind the Evansville defense and snapped a shot into the net from the right circle.
The Mallards opened their lead to two goals when Brady Brassart scored his first ECHL goal on a centering pass to the edge of the crease at 11:20. An empty net goal by Carey put the game out of reach with just over two minutes left.
Mike Duco provided a garbage-time goal for the IceMen, but it was too little, too late. The Mallards snapped out of a four-game skid, and prevented Evansville from its first three-game winning streak. Michalek made 32 saves in the win, while Zenzola stopped 23 shots in the loss.
The IceMen next host Missouri Saturday, January 2 at 7:15pm to begin 2016. Evansville then welcomes Wichita Sunday, January 3 at 5:15pm to wrap up four games in five days.
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Upcoming Home Games
Sat. 1/2 - vs. Missouri, 7:15pm - Union Night
Sun 1/3 - vs. Wichita, 5:15pm - Subway Family Night
Wed. 1/13 - vs. Rapid City, 6:15pm - College Night
Sat. 1/16 - vs. Quad City, 7:15pm - Star Wars Night
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS TICKET SPECIAL
Back by popular demand, the IceMen are offering a ticket special for the Holiday Season. Starting as low as $18 for goal zone seats, fans can purchase tickets to the January 2 game and receive a $5 food voucher. This offer is available by calling the IceMen front office at 812-421-GOAL (4625) all the way up until 3pm the day of the game, and is a great way to spend the Holidays with family and friends!
SATURDAY - UNION NIGHT
Unions and their members can take advantage of discounted tickets to Saturday's game at the Ford Center, when the IceMen take on the Missouri Mavericks at 7:15pm. For more information, call the IceMen front office at 812-421-GOAL (4625) and ask for Evan.
SUNDAY - SUBWAY FAMILY NIGHT
Bring your friends and family out to the Ford Center Sunday by taking advantage of the Subway Family Night ticket special. It includes a Goal Zone or Corner ticket to the game, an IceMen Subway t-shirt, and vouchers for popcorn and a soda, all for just $21. There is also an opportunity to upgrade to Center Ice or Club seats for just $4 more. Evansville hosts Wichita this Sunday at 5:15pm.
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ECHL Stories from December 31, 2015
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