Evansville IceMen vs. Elmira Jackals
First Arena – Jan. 11, 2013 – 6:05 p.m.
The Evansville IceMen (14-21-3; 31) visit the Elmira Jackals (17-15-3;37) on Friday for the first of two games at First Arena this weekend. The IceMen, (3-1-0) in the month of January, look to move their current winning streak to three games with a win over the Jackals tonight. Evansville enters play just two points out of fourth place in the North Division behind the idle Kalamazoo Wings (15-17-3;33). The IceMen are (0-1-0) against the Jackals this season.
LAST RESULT:
EVA: Wednesday, Jan. 9 – W vs. Ft. Wayne, 4-1
Game Sheet: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=10026
Brief Recap: The Evansville IceMen won their third straight game at home on Wednesday as they handled their arch rival Ft. Wayne Komets at the Ford Center. The IceMen were strong defensively, prepping for a late offensive push that put three goals in-net in the third period. With the win, Evansville has now received six-of-eight possible points to start the new calendar year.
IceMen Goaltender Paul Dainton provided for another one-goal outing by the home town club, saving 29-of-30 shots faced on his way to a .967 save percentage. Dainton accounted for what may be considered the turning point of the game 13:30 into the second period when he stifled the Komets’ flurry of shots near the crease. The IceMen gained momentum at that point as they owned puck possession for the majority of the remainder of regulation. Dainton was voted the game’s second star and is now (2-5-1) on the season.
IceMen Right Winger Kevin Baker became the owner of the game-winning goal for the second consecutive game, with this one coming 5:27 into the third period. Baker’s 11th goal of the season gave the IceMen a 2-0 lead and was assisted by IceMen Center Todd Robinson and Left Winger Josh Beaulieu. Robinson, on his way to the first star of the game honor, assisted on the game-winner. The IceMen team captain later added a second assist, finishing the game with two assists and a +1 rating.
ELM: Sunday, Jan. 6- W vs Trenton, 4-3
Game Sheet: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=10018
LAST MEETING:
Friday, Dec. 28- ELM 6 @ EVA 3
Game Sheet: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=9964
Brief Recap: The Evansville IceMen attained the first two goals in Friday night’s matchup against the Elmira Jackals, but fell victim to four unanswered Elmira goals in the game’s last thirty minutes.
The IceMen scored the game’s first goal for the second consecutive matchup when Right Winger Kevin Baker notched his eighth goal of the season 6:35 into the first period. Assists on Baker’s goal were credited to IceMen Left Winger Josh Beaulieu, the game’s third star, and Defenseman Jake Obermeyer.
Evansville extended its first period lead less than a minute later as Beaulieu tallied his team-leading 13th goal of the season. Beaulieu’s hard-earned goal in the slot came 7:06 into the opening period and was assisted by IceMen Center Todd Robinson and Defenseman Jesse Perrin. Robinson now has 20 assists on the season, leading the team in that category.
Elmira responded with two unanswered goals of their own, the first come via Forward Jack Downing 8:22 into the first period. Downing was the game’s first star with two goals, one assist, and a +2 rating. The Jackals tied the game just over two minutes later when Forward Andrew Rowe secured his 14th goal of the season. The first assist of the Rowe goal came from Elmira Forward Dustin Gazley, who later scored the third Jackals goal of the game 12:39 into the second period.
EVA Leading Scorers:
LW Josh Beaulieu- 32pts. (14G,18A)
C Todd Robinson- 30pts. (1G,29A)
C Nathan Moon- 25pts. (12G,13A)
LW Dylan Clarke- 25pts. (12G,13A)
ELM Scoring Leaders:
F Dustin Gazley- 37pts. (10G,27A)
F Artem Demkov- 36pts. (20G,16A)
F Andrew Rowe- 35pts. (16G,19A)
F Jack Downing- 28pts. (14G,14A)
THE NUMBERS:
EVA is (2-7-0) vs Atlantic Division opponents
ELM is (3-2-0) vs North Division opponents
EVA is (4-6-0)8 in their last 10 games
ELM is (5-5-0)10 in their last 10 games
EVA is (4-9-3) on road
ELM is (11-6-1) at home
ECHL Today: http://echl.com/echl-today-jan-11-p181262
· Josh Beaulieu leads the IceMen with 32 points and 14 goals.
· Elmira’s Andrew Rowe is on an eight-game point streak since Dec. 22 (4G,9A).
· Evansville is 13-2-2 when leading after two periods.
· Elmira is tied for fifth with three shorthanded goals against.
