Slow Start Spoils IceMen's Homecoming

February 28, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


EVANSVILLE, Ind.- A crowd of 7,616 fans welcomed the Evansville IceMen, presented by Coors Light, back to the Ford Center after three weeks on the road. But the Cincinnati Cyclones weren't as welcoming as the crowd. They scored three first period goals to send the IceMen to a 4-2 loss.

Justin MacDonald netted a pair of tallies in his first game at the Ford Center and the IceMen outshot Cincinnati 39-29, but fell to 13-35-4-2 (32 points) on the season. Cincinnati holds onto third place in the North Division with a 25-22-1-4 (55 point) record.

Cincinnati jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period. Branden Gracel and David McDonald both scored on the power play to put the visitors up 2-0. Joe Basaraba snuck one past Branden Komm to make it a three-goal Cyclone advantage after one.

In the second period, the IceMen fought back. Danny Hobbs bounced the puck off the boards. Justin MacDonald chased down the rebound and slammed it past Rob Madore to cut the Cyclones lead to 3-1. Troy Rutkowski added a helper on MacDonald's second strike with the IceMen.

Evansville smothered the Cyclones defensively in the second period. The IceMen did not allow Cincinnati a shot for the first 10 minutes of the period and outshot the Cyclones 15-5 in the middle frame.

Down two entering the final period, Evansville responded. Braden Pimm zipped a cross crease feed to MacDonald who rocketed in his second goal of the game. MacDonald has three goals in his first two IceMen games.

Rutkowski earned his second assist of the game as the IceMen trimmed the Cincinnati lead to one. He now has a team leading 18 helpers.

Just 77 seconds later, Cincinnati added a little insurance. David Pacan lit the lamp to push the Cyclone lead back to two.

Evansville fought to close the gap again. However,Madore did not allow any more damage. The Cyclones netminder made 37 saves to clinch a 4-2 Cincinnati win.

The IceMen will continue their five-game home stand on Wednesday night when they host the Kalamazoo Wings. The Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday's game brings another Wet Your Whistle Wednesday at Back Stage Bar & Grill. Fans can take their IceMen tickets across the street to Back Stage for $1 Coors Light draughts and free cover.

Fans Get the 3-2-1 Countdown to Playoffs Pack:

3- games of your choice

2- tickets per game

1- IceMen t-shirt

Plus receive one entry per pack purchase to win a team autographed stick, Playoff Priority Pricing, and be eligible for early renewal for the 2015-2016 season. Packs start at just $60.

Single game tickets are on sale now for all games including the IceMen's Mach 4th game against Kalamzoo at the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and after noon on weekend game days.

2015-16 season tickets are on sale now. Plans start at just $10 per ticket. Call an IceMen ticket executive at 812-421-GOAL to get your discounted season and group.



ECHL Stories from February 28, 2015


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