Ice beat Sioux Falls 4-1

The Indiana Ice began a big 3-game weekend by beating the Sioux Falls Stampede 4-1 Friday at Pepsi Coliseum.

Tonight, the Christian Hilbrich-Dan Sherer-Andrew Mayer line connected for two goals, while newcomer Ryan Cole scored his first goal in three games as an Iceman.

Daniil Tarasov and Sean Kuraly each registered points in their third consecutive games as they connected for a third-period goal that put things away. Tarasov's assist was the 100th point in his USHL career.

Jon Gillies stopped 33 of 34 Sioux Falls shots in net.

Hilbrich broke the ice at 8:17 of the first, but Sioux Falls' Dan Carlson answered less than two minutes later, sending the teams into the intermission tied 1-1. Captain Alex Barron scored the eventual game-winner with 6:16 left in the second period, on assists from Hilbrich and Mayer. On the Ice's second power play of the night, Cole scored on assists from Alexander Kuqali and Barron with 2:01 left in the period to make it 3-1.

Barron and Hilbrich each had a goal and an assist. Hilbrich's line was all a +2, Barron and defense partner Ryan Obuchowski were both +3.

Kuraly's insurance goal -- his ninth of the year -- came with 3:34 left in the game.

The Ice improved to 11-5-2 with the victory, but remained in fourth place, inching to within one point of third-place Youngstown. With 24 points, they're five back of Green Bay, but can cut into the Gamblers' lead the next two days, as Green Bay visits the Coliseum for a 7 p.m. faceoff Saturday and a 3 p.m. faceoff Sunday. Defending Clark Cup champion Dubuque concludes the seven-game homestand with a visit next weekend.

3 stars
1. Jon Gillies (Ice), 33 saves, win in net
2. Alex Barron (Ice), goal, assist, GWG, +3, 3 shots
3. Christian Hilbrich (Ice), goal, assist, +2, 2 shots

USHL boxscore
IndianaIce.com story