Two-point night for Ryan Penny in Evansville return not enough against red-hot Cincinnati.
Records:Â Â Evansville: 19-25-6-1; Cincinnati: 27-20-3-2
Goalies:  CIN – Iles (W), 12-8-1-0, 16 saves
EVN – Bengtsberg (L), 6-10-4-1, 20 saves
Scoring:
1st Period: 1. CIN – Pendenza 8 (unassisted, 8:06); 2. EVN – Penny 4 (Leveille, 15:39)
2nd Period:  3. CIN – Noonan 6 (PP, Budish, Downing, 11:19); 4. CIN – Gracel 11 (Mulvey, Blazek, 11:36); 5. EVN – Hagaman 1 (Penny, Leveille, 18:39)
3rd Period: 6. CIN – Mele 17 (Mulvey, Gracel, 13:28); 7. CIN – Noonan 7 (EN, Yogan, 19:42)
CINCINNATI, OH – With eight players out of the lineup due to various injuries, the Evansville IceMen hung with the Cincinnati Cyclones for 53 minutes, but ultimately fell at US Bank Arena 5-2. It was Cincinnati’s tenth consecutive win over Evansville at home, dating back to November 26, 2014. The IceMen dressed just 16 players, with eight regulars out with various injuries.
The Cyclones jumped out to a 1-0 lead 8:06 into the first period, when Joe Pendenza intercepted an Evansville clearing attempt in front of the net and buried the quick shot past IceMen goalie Christoffer Bengtsberg. Then, in his first game back with the IceMen, Ryan Penny tied the game on a centering pass that ricocheted off of a Cincinnati skate and past goaltender Andy Iles with 4:21 left in the frame.
Cincinnati regained the lead with three seconds left in its third power play, when Garrett Noonan fired a one-timer from high in the slot under Bengtsberg’s blocker. 17 seconds later, Brandon Gracel shoveled a rebound into the net to make it 3-1, after Bengtsberg kicked out the initial shot from Colin Mulvey.
Late in the middle period, Alec Hagaman scored his first career ECHL goal, when Penny set him up from the corner with a centering pass to the slot. The goal made it 3-2 with 1:21 to play in the second. Cincinnati outshot Evansville 10-7 in the period.
Tommy Mele provided an insurance goal with 6:32 to play, when he scooped up his own rebound and lifted a shot over Bengtsberg on a 2-on-1. Noonan added an empty-net goal to complete the Cyclones’ 5-2 win. Bengtsberg stopped 20 shots in his first regulation loss in February, while Iles stopped 16 in his third straight win over the IceMen.
The IceMen return home for two games against the Atlanta Gladiators Friday and Saturday at 7:15pm both nights. It is Pink the Rink Weekend at the Ford Center, and the IceMen will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off after Saturday’s game, with proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Fri. 2/26 – Atlanta at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center
                        Pink the Rink Weekend – Paint the Ice
Sat. 2/27 – Atlanta at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center
                        Pink the Rink Weekend – Jersey Auction
Â
PINK THE RINK
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’s games and name on the ice for just $35. The IceMen will be wearing specialty jerseys both nights which will be auctioned off Saturday night after the game. All 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. Call 812-421-GOAL (4625) for more information.
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 4thand 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.
Â
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.
