Thunder Erase Two Goal Deficit to Snap IceMen Winning Streak

(Wichita scores four unanswered to end Evansville’s eight game home point streak.)

 

Records:  Evansville: 22-26-6-2; Wichita: 14-33-6-6

Goalies:  WIC – Bonar (W), 5-5-0-1, 24 saves

EVN – Zenzola (L), 2-3-0-0, 26 saves

Scoring:

1^st Period: 1. EVN – Fawcett 19 (Sims, Rutkowski, 12:50); 2. EVN – Moon 13 (Rumble, Leveille, 17:51)

2^nd Period:  3. WIC – Neal 6 (PP, Nemcik, Isackson, 1:20); 4. WIC – Alberga 7 (Miller, 11:07)

3^rd Period:  5. WIC – Chelios 6 (PP, Oslanski, Lowe, 3:59); 6. WIC – Miller 13 (Huff, Alberga, 4:54)

The Evansville IceMen jumped out to a two goal lead Sunday against the Wichita Thunder, but the Thunder battled back to win 4-2 at the Ford Center. The loss snaps an eight game home point streak for the IceMen and a three game winning streak.

The IceMen scored first right after a power play ended, when Tyson Fawcett fired a shot from the point through a screen at 12:50 of the first period. Evansville made it 2-0 at the end of one, when Nathan Moon crashed the net a shoveled a loose puck past Wichita goalie Sean Bonar. IceMen goalie Matt Zenzola, starting just his first game since New Year’s Eve, stopped all 17 shots in the frame.

Wichita found the net 1:20 into the second period on a power play, when Michael Neal tipped a Martin Nemcikshot past Zenzola. The Thunder tied the game at 2-2 when Domenic Alberga fired a shot under the blocker off of a face-off win at 11:07. The teams combined for just eight shots in the period and went into the third knotted at two goals apiece.

The Thunder took their first lead 3:59 into the third when Dean Chelios capitalized on a rebound for the second Wichita power play goal. 55 seconds later, Kenton Miller fired a one-timer into the net on a 2-on-1 rush to make it 4-2. Bonar made 11 saves in the third period and 24 for the game in his fifth win. Zenzola stopped 26 shots in the loss.

The IceMen wrap up their season-long six-game home stand Wednesday against the Quad City Mallards at 6:15pm. Evansville then travels to Indianapolis to start a home-and-home weekend series with the Indy Fuel Friday. The IceMen will host the Fuel Saturday and wrap up a four game week with Quad City again next Sunday at the Ford Center.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Wed. 3/9 – Quad City at Evansville (6:15pm) – Ford Center

                        College Night

Sat. 3/12 – Indy at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center

                        Baby Races

Sun. 3/13 – Quad City at Evansville (5:15pm) – Ford Center

                        Subway Family Night

                      

MARCH BOOK DRIVE

Evansville’s Book Drive finishes Sunday 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 $6 ticket anywhere in the arena for the IceMen game Wednesday March 9^th against Quad City.  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 two remaining Sunday home games: March 13 and 20. All Sunday games are scheduled for 5:15pm.

POSTGAME SKATE – MARCH 20

IceMen Season Ticket Holders and Blizzard Buddies are welcome to participate in a postgame skate Sunday, March 20 after the IceMen take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at 5:15pm at the Ford Center. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates if they have them, as a limited number of skates will be provided.

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.