IceMen Score Five to Fend Off Cyclones

(Evansville hosts Tulsa Saturday in final game at the Ford Center.)

  

Records:  Evansville: 27-31-7-2; Cincinnati: 35-25-5-4

Goalies:  CIN – Iles (L), 18-12-2-2, 20 saves, 5 GA

EVN – Greenham (W), 11-7-2-1, 48 saves, 3 GA

Scoring:

1^st Period:  1. EVN – Rumble 10 (PP, Wideman, Dunn, 15:32)

2^nd Period:  2. EVN – Wideman 13 (Sims, Fawcett, :46); 3. EVN – Sims 17 (Wideman, 7:41); 4. CIN – Huard 20 (PP, Budish, Carlson, 16:04); 5. CIN – Carlson 5 (Budish, Downing, 18:16); 6. CIN – Huard 21 (Koper, Noonan, 19:57)

3^rd Period:  7. EVN – Rumble 11 (PP, Sims, Fawcett, 2:07); 8. EVN – Harrison 5 (Turgeon, Zay, 2:54)

EVANSVILLE, IN – 5,062 fans were treated to five goals from the home team Friday in the second to last game at the Ford Center for the Evansville IceMen. Thanks 48 saves from goaltender Scott Greenham and two early third period goals, the IceMen beat the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-3. The IceMen play their final game in Evansville Saturday at 7:15pm.

The IceMen killed off two early penalties in the first period and scored the game’s first goal on a late power play. Rookie defenseman Chris Rumble blasted a one-timer that deflected into the net off of a Cincinnati player in front with 4:28 left in the frame. Greenham made 14 saves in the opening period, including three key stops in the final minute to keep the IceMen in front 1-0.

Evansville jumped out quickly in the second period, when Alex Wideman snuck a rebound past the left pad of Cyclones goalie Andy Iles just 46 into the frame to give the IceMen a 2-0 lead. Wideman forced a Cincinnati turnover a few minutes later to earn his third point of the night, when Jordan Sims snapped a shot under Iles blocker to make it 3-0.

The Cyclones came on strong near the end of the period, scoring three goals in the final four minutes of play to tie the game at the second intermission. First, Nick Huard shoveled the puck past Greenham after the puck caromed out from the back wall late in Cincinnati’s fifth power play. Cody Carlson scored with 1:44 left in the frame to cut the IceMen lead to one, before Huard tallied another goal with three seconds left in the middle period to tie the score at 3-3.

Rumble gave Evansville the lead for good with his second power play goal of the night 2:07 into the third period on a shot from the point. Then Daniel Turgeon set up Andrew Harrison 47 seconds later with a saucer pass through the slot, and Harrison made it 5-3 when he snapped a quick shot past Iles.

Greenham made a season-high 48 saves, including 17 in the final stanza to earn his 11^th win of the year, while Iles stopped 20 in the loss. The Cyclones still managed to clinch a playoff spot because the Tulsa Oilers lost in regulation Friday against Quad City, which coincidentally officially eliminated the IceMen from playoff contention.

Saturday, April 2 is the Home Finale at 7:15pm, as the IceMen finish their home schedule against the Tulsa Oilers. The IceMen wrap up the weekend with a quick stop in Fort Wayne at 5pm EST Sunday, April 3, before finishing the season next week with three games in Allen, Texas against the Americans.

REMAINING GAMES

Sat. 4/2 – Tulsa at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center

Home Finale – TRCI Mini Stick Giveaway – Zooperstars

Sun. 4/3 – Evansville at Fort Wayne (5pm EST) – Memorial Coliseum (Fort Wayne, IN)

Wed. 4/6 – Evansville at Allen (7:05pm) – Allen Events Center (Allen, TX)

Fri. 4/8 – Evansville at Allen (7:05pm) – Allen Events Center (Allen, TX)

Sat. 4/9 – Evansville at Allen (7:05pm) – Allen Events Center (Allen, TX)                    

“MEMORIES WEEKEND” – HOME FINALE – APRIL 2^nd

Evansville plays its final game at the Ford Center Saturday, April 2 at 7:15pm against the Tulsa Oilers. As a part of “Memories Weekend”, the IceMen will celebrate memories of the organization’s eight years in Evansville from the AAHL days, to the CHL to the ECHL, including the team’s Davidson Cup Championship in 2010. The first 1,000 fans into the arena will receive team autographed mini goalie sticks, presented by TRCI.

FULL MOON RISING

Forward Nathan Moon has been one of the most memorable names in Evansville IceMen history and he will be honored before the Home Finale on Saturday. Make sure to arrive early for the pregame presentation. The Belleville, ON native is scheduled to tie Josh Beaulieu for the most games ever played in an IceMen jersey (159) Saturday, and can pass him Sunday at Fort Wayne. Moon is third in team history in all-time assists (83), third in penalty minutes (252), and can reach second place all-time for points (127) and third place for goals (44) with three more in the final six games.

ZOOPERSTARS RETURN

Saturday, April 2 also marks the much anticipated return of the ZOOperstars, when the IceMen take on Tulsa at 7:15pm at the Ford Center for the Home Finale. Dance along with the likes of “Mario Lemule”, “Whale Gretzky” and “Squidney Crosby” as they perform during the first and second intermission. For more information about the ZOOperstars or to see a sample video of one of their performances, visit: http://www.zooperstars.com/top-intermission-entertainment-act-for-nhl-minor-league-hockey.html

FAMILY 4 PACKS ARE BACK

Get 4 Upper Level tickets to either IceMen game next weekend for only $40! Lower level tickets are also available at a discounted rate when buying 4 or more.  The offer is only available online or by calling the IceMen offices at 812-421-GOAL (4625).

FINAL JERSEY AUCTION

The final chance to bid on game-worn player jerseys will be in a live auction Monday, April 11 at 6pm at Beef O’ Brady’s in Newburgh. Following the team’s final three games in Allen, Texas on April 6, 8 and 9, all of the Evansville IceMen players will be present for the auction to sign their jerseys for the winning bidders.

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.