Preview: IceMen Host 'Pink the Rink Weekend'
February 25, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
PINK THE RINK WEEKEND
The IceMen invite you to Pink the Rink Weekend February 26-27 at the Ford Center! For just $5, purchase the opportunity to paint the name of a loved one on the ice following Friday night's game. An exclusive ticket special for the weekend includes a goal zone ticket to both Friday and Saturday night and a name on the ice for just $35. The IceMen will be wearing specialty jerseys both nights which will be auctioned off Saturday after the game. Part of the proceeds from the painting of the names and the jersey auction will go to Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. Both games start at 7:15 pm against the Atlanta Gladiators, and fans must have a ticket Friday to participate in the name painting or Saturday to take part in the jersey auction. Call 812-421-GOAL (4625) for more information.
HOME COOKIN'
The IceMen return from a four-game road trip to begin their longest home stand of the season. Evansville hopes to continue its recent success at the Ford Center with six games over the next two weeks. The IceMen started the month of February with points in their first four home contests, including wins over Rapid City, Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo. After two games against Atlanta this weekend, Evansville hosts Tulsa for two games and then Wichita March 4-6, before finishing the home stand March 9 against Quad City.
SCRATCH IF THE BUG BITES
The injury bug found its way back into the IceMen locker room during the team's road trip. Injuries to forwards Sebastian Strandberg and Alex Wideman, as well as defenseman Spencer Humphries added to an already long list. Strandberg and veteran Mike Duco were both placed on Injured Reserve, joining Chris Joseph, Matt Zenzola and Captain Jarret Lukin. Rookie forward Justin MacDonald is also out with an injury, which left the IceMen with just 16 available players in Tuesday's 5-2 loss at Cincinnati.
FIND A PENNY, PICK IT UP
The AHL's Binghamton Senators loaned forward Ryan Penny back to Evansville Tuesday, and the rookie out of Fall River, Nova Scotia had an immediate impact. Penny, who last suited up for the IceMen December 2, scored a goal in the first period Tuesday against the Cyclones and added an assist on the second marker. The 21-year-old winger has four goals and eight helpers in 18 games this season.
KEEP THE PUCK, ROOK
Four games into his ECHL career, Alec Hagaman scored his first career goal in the second period Tuesday at Cincinnati. The rookie out of Peoria, IL signed with Evansville February 19 and joined the team in Tulsa, where he made his IceMen debut against the Oilers. Hagaman played all of last season and most of this season with his hometown Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL, where he compiled 23 goals and 21 assists in 90 games.
NEW GLADITUDE
The Atlanta Gladiators return to the Ford Center for the second time since rebranding from Gwinnett in the offseason. With the change, the Gladiators have also managed one of the biggest turnarounds on the ice from the 2014-15 season where they finished last in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta is led by Captain Derek Nesbitt, whose 24 goals is third in the ECHL, and Garry Nunn, who is averaging better than a point per game (10-32--42) in 38 contests. The Gladiators currently rest in sixth in the East.
SEASON SERIES
The IceMen and Gladiators split the first two meetings of four this season. Atlanta used a goal in the final minute of regulation from Justin Buzzeo and an overtime winner from Nesbitt to beat Evansville 6-5 December 16 at the Ford Center. The IceMen then saw a 2-0 lead evaporate, before scoring two unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Gladiators 4-3 January 23 in Duluth, GA. Defenseman Jonathan Carlsson provided the game-winning tally, with his first goal of the season. Carlsson was loaned to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs last week.--
MARCH BOOK DRIVE
The IceMen will be hosting a book drive for three games in March. The team will be collecting new or gently used beginner to teen books Friday March 4th and Saturday March 5th when Evansville hosts the Tulsa Oilers and again Sunday March 6th when the IceMen take on the Wichita Thunder. Bookmarks will be handed out for every book donated, and anyone with a bookmark can present it at the Ford Center Ticket Office for a discounted ticket to the IceMen game Wednesday March 9th. All of the books will be donated to Evansville Hangers.
FAITH SUNDAYS
Bring any pamphlet or program from your faith service to the Ford Center Ticket Office and receive a $5 discount on tickets anywhere in the building for Sunday home games! There are three remaining Sunday home games: March 6, 13 and 20. Also, stay for the free postgame faith concert after the Sunday, March 6 game against Wichita. All Sunday games are scheduled for 5:15pm.
FRIDAY HAT PACKS
Get a ticket and a limited edition IceMen hat for only $20 for any Friday home game the rest of the season! This offer is good for any of the remaining Friday games at the Ford Center: February 26, March 4 and April 1. Call the IceMen front office at 812-421-GOAL (4625) for details.
DOMINO'S 4-GAME HAT PACK
Choose any four IceMen home games and get a FREE limited edition IceMen hat and a large 1-topping Domino's pizza, starting at only $17 per ticket. Call the IceMen front office at 812-421-GOAL (4625) for details.
Visit us at www.evansvilleicemen.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @EvvIceMen for more information about your hometown professional hockey team.
Atlanta Gladiators (28-19-4-2) vs. Evansville IceMen (19-25-6-1)
Friday, February 26th - 7:15pm (Pink the Rink Weekend - Painting the Ice)
Saturday, February 27th - 7:15pm (Pink the Rink Weekend - Special Jersey Auction)
Ford Center - Evansville, IN
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
This Season - Final two meetings out of four.
12/16 - Gladiators won 6-5, OT (in Evansville)
1/23 - IceMen won 4-3 (in Atlanta)
Last Season
IceMen were 2-1-1-0 against Atlanta
All Time
IceMen are 7-7-1-0 against Atlanta
UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Fri. 3/4 - Tulsa at Evansville (7:15pm) - Ford Center
Colon Cancer Awareness Night / Book Drive Kick Off
Sat. 3/5 - Tulsa at Evansville (7:15pm) - Ford Center
Book Drive
Sun. 3/6 - Wichita at Evansville (5:15pm) - Ford Center
Faith Night / Subway Family Night / Last Day of Book Drive
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