Toledo Walleye vs. Evansville IceMen
Ford Center – Jan. 19, 2013 – 7:15 p.m.
After a statement win in overtime last night, the Evansville IceMen (16-22-4; 36) host their third consecutive North Division opponent as the Toledo Walleye (20-16-4; 44) stroll into the Ford Center. The IceMen are currently on an upward trend, winning four of their last five home games and owning a (5-2-1)11 record in their last eight games overall. The Walleye ended a five-game winless streak last night with a victory over the Ft. Wayne Komets. Evansville is (3-1-0) against Toledo this season.
LAST RESULT:
EVA: Friday, Jan. 18- W vs. Kalamazoo, 4-3
Game Sheet: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=10070
Brief Recap: The Evansville IceMen beat the Kalamazoo Wings in dramatic overtime fashion at the Ford Center on Friday night. The physical bout between North Division rivals came to an end when IceMen Left Winger Kevin Baker scored a redirection goal just over the halfway point of the extra period . The first overtime triumph for the IceMen at home this season put now has them in a tie with the Wings for fourth place in the North Division standings. With the win, Evansville has won four of its last six games, while the Wings have dropped four of their last five games.
Baker’s power play goal, his 12th goal of the season, was assisted by IceMen Center Todd Robinson, who fired an initial shot from the nearside boards onto the redirecting stick of Baker. IceMen Defenseman Daniel Tetrault was credited with the second assist on the climactic game-winner that came officially at the 2:48 mark over extra time. Robinson was named the game’s second star with three assists on the night. The IceMen captain has 12 points in his last eight games and is second in the ECHL with 33 assists. Robinson’s 18 power play assists also ranks second in the league.
Kalamazoo Left Winger John May ultimately forced overtime, scoring his first goal of the season 6:09 into the third period and tying the IceMen at three goals apiece. The equalizer represented the comeback from a two-goal deficit that Kalamazoo faced on Friday. Kalamazoo Center Jonathan Higgins earned the lone assist on the break-even goal.
TOL: Friday, Jan. 18- W @ Ft. Wayne, 5-3
Game Sheet: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=10069
LAST MEETING:
Saturday, Dec. 15- EVA 0 @ TOL 4
Game Sheet: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=9909
Brief Recap: The Evansville IceMen were defeated by the Toledo Walleye on Saturday night for the first time this season. Prior to tonight’s game, the IceMen were a perfect (3-0-0) against the Walleye, including the victory that began Evansville’s six game winning streak on Saturdays back on Nov. 3. Toledo’s first overthrow of the IceMen was in convincing fashion, shutting out Evansville and ending their six game unbeaten streak.
Toledo Goaltender Jordan Pearce mastered the IceMen, pitching the shutout while saving all 27 shots faced. Pearce, voted the game’s first star, boosts his record to (7-3-0) on the season for the Walleye.
EVA Leading Scorers:
LW Josh Beaulieu- 36pts. (16G,20A)
C Todd Robinson- 35pts. (2G,33A)
LW Dylan Clarke- 27pts. (12G,15A)
C Nathan Moon- 26pts. (12G,14A)
TOL Leading Scorers:
LW Willie Coetzee- 35pts. (16G,19A)
C Kyle Rogers- 24pts. (7G,17A)
RW Tyler Brenner- 22pts. (9G,13A)
RW Travis Novak- 21pts. (5G,16A)
THE NUMBERS:
EVA is (11-10-3) vs North Division opponents
TOL is (13-9-2) vs North Division opponents
EVA is (5-4-1)11 in their last 10 games
TOL is (3-4-3)9 in their last 10 games
EVA is (11-13-0) at home
TOL is (11-10-1) on road
ECHL Today: http://echl.com/echl-today-jan-19-p181400
Walleye LW Willie Coetzee leads the ECHL with 157 shots on goal.
C Nathan Moon leads the IceMen against Toledo with five goals.
Toledo is the ECHL’s third-least penalized team with (13.98 PIM/gm)
Evansville is (14-2-3) when leading after two periods.
