EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville IceMen defeated their arch rivals Ft. Wayne Komets in decisive fashion in front of 7,301 fans at the Ford Center on Friday night. The IceMen were lead by a veteran line that produced 12 points against the Komets.
IceMen Right Winger Kevin Baker (2G,2A), Left Winger Josh Beaulieu (4A), and Center Todd Robinson (1G,3A) each amassed four points in Friday’s rout of the Komets. Baker was voted the game’s first star, as his second goal of the game chased Ft. Wayne Goaltender Marco Cousineau from the game.
Robinson achieved the game’s second star award, with his fourth goal of the season proving to be the game-winner 16:30 into the first period. Robinson now has eclipsed the 50-point plateau, currently totaling 53 points this season following his four-point output.
Robinson peaks into the top ten in the ECHL in scoring having accumulating 21 points in his last 12 games. The IceMen team captain still leads the ECHL with 49 assists on the season.
IceMen Goaltender Paul Dainton proved nearly spotless in the victory after saving 37-of-38 shots, resulting in a .974 save percentage. The game’s third star of the game improved his record to (4-9-2) on the season.
Baker tallied the initial goal of the game on the power playas a result of a sniper shot that hit top shelf. Baker’s opener came 12:35 into the first period and was assisted by Beaulieu and Robinson.
IceMen Defenseman Matt Krug found twine for the first time this season, putting Evansville up by a triple. The goal, coming 2:05 into the second period, was again assisted by Beaulieu and Robinson.
The dynamic duo of Beaulieu and Robinson assisted on a third marker later in the second period. Baker’s second goal of the game and 18th goal of the season occurred 4:21 into the frame, giving the IceMen a 4-0 lead at the time.
The IceMen gained a five-goal advantage late in the second period when Right Winger Jason Dale prevailed in the crease with his ninth goal of the season. IceMen Right Wingers Patrick Kennedy and Trent Vogelhuber assisted on the goal that came 17:20 into the middle stanza.
Vogelhuber added a goal of his own 7:28 into the third period, accounting for Evansville’s sixth and final lamp-lighter. Vogelhuber’s sixth goal of the campaign, this one coming on the power play, was assisted by Baker and Defenseman Daniel Tetrault.
The lone Komets triumph of the game came off the stick of Thomas Beauregard, who hit the 20-goal mark on the season early in the third period. Komets’ Center Brett N. Smith assisted on the tally.
A tandem of net-minders made appearances for the Komets of Friday. Cousineau was chased with 15:39 remaining in the second period after allowing four goals on 12 shots faced. Cousineau took the loss, declining his record to (3-7-0) on the season.
Komets’ Goaltender Charlie Effinger relieved the Ft. Wayne started the remainder of the game. Effinger saved 11-of-13 shots, ending the game with a .846 save percentage.
The IceMen power play was perfect against the Komets, going 2-for-2 on the night. The IceMen man advantage has been relevant as of late, producing a goal in five of its last eight appearances.
Evansville’s penalty killing unit also achieved perfection as they efficiently killed all six of Ft. Wayne’s power play opportunities. The IceMen penalty kill has dismounted 18 straight opponent power plays.
With the lopsided victory, the IceMen snap a five-game losing streak and improve their record to (18-30-5)41 on the season. The Komets fall to a record of (26-24-2)54 on the season.
The IceMen and Komets will do battle in Ft. Wayne tomorrow night in a North Division rematch of tonight’s affair. The puck is scheduled to drop at 6:30 p.m. and can be heard on ‘Magic 98.5’ FM and 1400 AM WEOA, as well as the rest of the IceMen Radio Network.
