The Indiana Ice finished their most successful regular season with a strong 5-2 victory over the Chicago Steel on the road, but finished two points short in their quest for the Anderson Cup when Waterloo rallied from two one-goal deficits to defeat Cedar Rapids in a shootout.
The Ice finish the season with 91 points (42-11-7), two back of Waterloo (44-11-5). They also learned their playoff opponent, as they'll face Green Bay (30-24-6) in the best-of-5 Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Ice never trailed Saturday, with five different players scoring goals. Included in that batch were Scott Conway -- who finishes the year scoring six of his 33 goals in the final three games -- and Brian Pinho. The latter's third-period game-winner and an earlier assist gave him 28 of each for the year. The Ice finish the year with three 20-goal scorers -- Dwyer Tschantz (24) being the third. He had an assist this evening.
Also of note, Conway and Austin Kosack each finished the year +40, the top forward and defenseman in the USHL in plus-minus.
Matt Roy and Patrick Newell scored power play goals in the first two periods to give the Ice a 2-0 edge. Pinho scored at 3:14 of the third, just 77 seconds after the Steel had cut the lead to one. Conway added an insurance goal, and Tyler Andrew scored an empty-netter to cap the regular season. Jason Pawloski made 31 saves to register his second victory of the week.
Takeaways
1. The regular season is completed, but the playoffs will be a grind. With only half of the USHL's teams making it, the postseason will be a survival contest. We'll have a more in-depth preview in the week, but the Ice and Green Bay split four games this season, and all of them were close. The road team won all four games.
2. The Ice power play was 2-for-6, the second straight game with two PPGs, even though they didn't convert on a two-minute 5-on-3 in the second period. They were 2-for-7 in Friday's loss to Green Bay.
3. As has been the case all season, great balance keyed the Ice offense, and that will be critical when the postseason begins and matchups become key. Coach Jeff Brown has lots of pieces to mix and match with. Brian Pinho (G, A) and Austin Kosack (2A) were the only two players with multi-point games, but nine different players registered a point in the contest.
4. A nice problem to have: Hayden Stewart finished the year 13-1-0 with a 1.28 GAA and a .945 save % for the Ice. Jason Pawloski is 27-8-6/2.46, but has had five solid games to close the year, going 4-1-0 with a 1.81 GAA and .932 sv% in those games.
Game boxscore
USHL playoff matchups
Eastern Conference: (1) Indiana vs. (4) Green Bay; (2) Cedar Rapids vs. (3) Dubuque
Western Conference: (1) Waterloo vs. (4) Sioux Falls; (2) Omaha vs. (3) Sioux City
Looking ahead
The Ice open the playoffs against the Green Bay Gamblers, with Games 1 & 2 slated to be played at Pan Am Pavilion on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m. The schedule for the remainder of the series will be announced Monday, with the likelihood that Games 3 and 4 would be in Green Bay the weekend of April 18-19. Tickets are $15 for reserved seats and are on sale at the Ice office (925-4423) and Ticketmaster.
Showing posts with label Chicago Steel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Steel. Show all posts
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Ice get weekend off to good start
In front of 11,949 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the annual Pack the House Night, Jon Gillies showed the season's largest crowd why he's one of the top draft-eligible goaltenders in North America.
Gillies stopped all 32 shots he faced to outduel Matthias Dahlstrom in what turned out to be a 2-0 Ice victory over the Chicago Steel.
The two goaltenders locked horns for the first two periods -- Dahlstrom stopped all 20 Ice shots in the opening 40 minutes, including 16 in the second period. Gillies made 17 saves.
The Ice's Kirill Lebedev -- a midseason pickup who was playing his fifth game as an Iceman tonight -- scored just 36 seconds into the third on a feed from Daniil Tarasov to break the ice.
With Gillies in net, it would be all the offense the Ice needed. He stopped all 15 shots he faced in the third, and Lebedev set up Tarasov for an empty-netter to seal it in the final minute. Ryan Obuchowski had the second assist on both goals.
The Ice improved to 24-10-5 with the victory and stayed two points ahead of Dubuque and Youngstown, who remain tied for third in the USHL Eastern Conference.
The shutout was Gillies' third of the year and sixth of his two-year USHL career.
The Ice are back in action Saturday at the Pepsi Coliseum against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It will be their final home game before embarking on a long road trip.
3 stars
1. Jon Gillies (Ice) 32 saves, shutout, win
2. Kirill Lebedev (Ice), G, A, GWG, +2, 3 shots
3. Daniil Tarasov (Ice), G, A, +2, 8 shots
USHL boxscore
Gillies stopped all 32 shots he faced to outduel Matthias Dahlstrom in what turned out to be a 2-0 Ice victory over the Chicago Steel.
The two goaltenders locked horns for the first two periods -- Dahlstrom stopped all 20 Ice shots in the opening 40 minutes, including 16 in the second period. Gillies made 17 saves.
The Ice's Kirill Lebedev -- a midseason pickup who was playing his fifth game as an Iceman tonight -- scored just 36 seconds into the third on a feed from Daniil Tarasov to break the ice.
With Gillies in net, it would be all the offense the Ice needed. He stopped all 15 shots he faced in the third, and Lebedev set up Tarasov for an empty-netter to seal it in the final minute. Ryan Obuchowski had the second assist on both goals.
The Ice improved to 24-10-5 with the victory and stayed two points ahead of Dubuque and Youngstown, who remain tied for third in the USHL Eastern Conference.
The shutout was Gillies' third of the year and sixth of his two-year USHL career.
The Ice are back in action Saturday at the Pepsi Coliseum against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It will be their final home game before embarking on a long road trip.
3 stars
1. Jon Gillies (Ice) 32 saves, shutout, win
2. Kirill Lebedev (Ice), G, A, GWG, +2, 3 shots
3. Daniil Tarasov (Ice), G, A, +2, 8 shots
USHL boxscore
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Ice fall in shootout
Moving downtown to kick off Super Bowl week, the Ice fell to the Chicago Steel 5-4 Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in a shootout.
The Ice did get a standings point and are now 21-8-5 overall and 10-1-3 in their last 14 games.
They salvaged the point as Robbie Baillargeon scored on the power play with 48 seconds left to tie the game. Chicago won it in the seventh round of the shootout on a goal by Charlie O'Connor.
The game saw a lot of action, with a combined 91 shots -- the Ice had a 47-45 shot advantage, with Chicago getting an extra shot on goal for the shootout win in the team total. The power plays were also active, as Chicago was 3-for-10 and the Ice were 2-for-6. Chicago also scored a shorthanded goal with 1:54 to go, which appeared to potentially be the game-winner before Baillargeon struck a minute later.
Ice goaltender Jon Gillies made 40 saves in the defeat. Sean Kuraly scored twice and Baillargeon added a goal and two assists.
Chicago's Andrew Miller scored on the power play early, but the Ice answered with two first-period goals, from Kuraly on the power play and Drew Smolcynski -- assisted by new Ice defenseman Jose Delgadillo, getting his first point as an Iceman. He and defense partner Joe Fiala were also both plus-2.
The Ice led 3-2 after two, as Chicago's Jeff Kubiak scored a power play goal midway through the period, and Kuraly answered three minutes later, chasing Chicago starter Matthias Dahlstrom.
A third power play goal by Chicago's Joel Benson at 3:05 of the third tied the game, setting the stage for the punch-counterpunch of the last two minutes. O'Connor -- who would score the shootout winner -- was sent off for tripping with 2:29 left, giving the Ice their sixth power play of the night. Miller scored shorthanded first, and then Baillargeon cashed in on the power play.
The Ice are back in action tonight at Muskegon -- a game that was moved from the Pepsi Coliseum due to rink availability with the Super Bowl. On Sunday, they head to Green Bay.
3 stars
1. Alex Sakerellopoulous (CHI), 19 saves, 1 GA, game-winning goaltender
2. Andrew Miller (CHI) 2 goals, PPG, SHG,
3. Robbie Baillargeon (ICE) goal, 2 assists, 8 shots
USHL boxscore
The Ice did get a standings point and are now 21-8-5 overall and 10-1-3 in their last 14 games.
They salvaged the point as Robbie Baillargeon scored on the power play with 48 seconds left to tie the game. Chicago won it in the seventh round of the shootout on a goal by Charlie O'Connor.
The game saw a lot of action, with a combined 91 shots -- the Ice had a 47-45 shot advantage, with Chicago getting an extra shot on goal for the shootout win in the team total. The power plays were also active, as Chicago was 3-for-10 and the Ice were 2-for-6. Chicago also scored a shorthanded goal with 1:54 to go, which appeared to potentially be the game-winner before Baillargeon struck a minute later.
Ice goaltender Jon Gillies made 40 saves in the defeat. Sean Kuraly scored twice and Baillargeon added a goal and two assists.
Chicago's Andrew Miller scored on the power play early, but the Ice answered with two first-period goals, from Kuraly on the power play and Drew Smolcynski -- assisted by new Ice defenseman Jose Delgadillo, getting his first point as an Iceman. He and defense partner Joe Fiala were also both plus-2.
The Ice led 3-2 after two, as Chicago's Jeff Kubiak scored a power play goal midway through the period, and Kuraly answered three minutes later, chasing Chicago starter Matthias Dahlstrom.
A third power play goal by Chicago's Joel Benson at 3:05 of the third tied the game, setting the stage for the punch-counterpunch of the last two minutes. O'Connor -- who would score the shootout winner -- was sent off for tripping with 2:29 left, giving the Ice their sixth power play of the night. Miller scored shorthanded first, and then Baillargeon cashed in on the power play.
The Ice are back in action tonight at Muskegon -- a game that was moved from the Pepsi Coliseum due to rink availability with the Super Bowl. On Sunday, they head to Green Bay.
3 stars
1. Alex Sakerellopoulous (CHI), 19 saves, 1 GA, game-winning goaltender
2. Andrew Miller (CHI) 2 goals, PPG, SHG,
3. Robbie Baillargeon (ICE) goal, 2 assists, 8 shots
USHL boxscore
Saturday, January 21, 2012
A smashing debut & 7 straight
New Iceman Kirill Lebedev scored the game's first goal tonight and the Ice won their seventh straight game -- and extended their regulation unbeaten streak to 11 games (9-0-2) in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Steel on the road tonight.
Lebedev scored the game's first goal, giving the Ice a 1-0 lead after a period. Former Steel defenseman R.J. Boyd and Robbie Baillargeon -- who each assisted on Lebedev's goal -- each had two assists on the night. Robert Polosello also scored twice. The Ice -- who possess two of the league's best special teams units -- also scored power play and shorthanded goals in a complete victory.
With Green Bay losing to the USNDTP U18s tonight, the Ice gained two points on the Gamblers and now trail by seven points. The Ice are 21-7-4 with 46 points and a game in hand on GB. The Ice are also five points ahead of Dubuque, whom they visit Saturday night.
Polosello has caught fire of late, and has tallied a point in six straight games. He scored on a feed from Ryan Obuchowski 1:54 into the second to give the Ice a two-goal cushion. Sean Kuraly added a power play goal four and a half minutes later to give the Ice a 3-0 edge. It was his 19th goal of the year, putting him one behind team leader Daniil Tarasov. Kuraly now has a seven-game point streak going.
Chicago's Bo Pieper and Jacob Slavin scored within the next five minutes to cut the lead to 3-2, but Jon Gillies slammed the door the rest of the night, making 29 saves. He stopped all 10 Chicago shots in the third period, during which Polosello added a shorthanded goal.
Matthias Dahlstrom made 39 saves for Chicago in the loss, as the Ice held a 43-31 shot edge.
Jacob Fallon and Alex Barron were both plus-2 on the night for the Ice.
Tarasov was scoreless, but he got off a whopping 10 shots on goal during the game.
3 stars
1. Robert Polosello (Ice), 2 goals, +1, 2 shots
2. Bo Pieper (Chicago), goal, +1, 2 shots
3. R.J. Boyd (Ice), 2 assists, +1, 1 shot
USHL boxscore
Lebedev scored the game's first goal, giving the Ice a 1-0 lead after a period. Former Steel defenseman R.J. Boyd and Robbie Baillargeon -- who each assisted on Lebedev's goal -- each had two assists on the night. Robert Polosello also scored twice. The Ice -- who possess two of the league's best special teams units -- also scored power play and shorthanded goals in a complete victory.
With Green Bay losing to the USNDTP U18s tonight, the Ice gained two points on the Gamblers and now trail by seven points. The Ice are 21-7-4 with 46 points and a game in hand on GB. The Ice are also five points ahead of Dubuque, whom they visit Saturday night.
Polosello has caught fire of late, and has tallied a point in six straight games. He scored on a feed from Ryan Obuchowski 1:54 into the second to give the Ice a two-goal cushion. Sean Kuraly added a power play goal four and a half minutes later to give the Ice a 3-0 edge. It was his 19th goal of the year, putting him one behind team leader Daniil Tarasov. Kuraly now has a seven-game point streak going.
Chicago's Bo Pieper and Jacob Slavin scored within the next five minutes to cut the lead to 3-2, but Jon Gillies slammed the door the rest of the night, making 29 saves. He stopped all 10 Chicago shots in the third period, during which Polosello added a shorthanded goal.
Matthias Dahlstrom made 39 saves for Chicago in the loss, as the Ice held a 43-31 shot edge.
Jacob Fallon and Alex Barron were both plus-2 on the night for the Ice.
Tarasov was scoreless, but he got off a whopping 10 shots on goal during the game.
3 stars
1. Robert Polosello (Ice), 2 goals, +1, 2 shots
2. Bo Pieper (Chicago), goal, +1, 2 shots
3. R.J. Boyd (Ice), 2 assists, +1, 1 shot
USHL boxscore
Friday, January 20, 2012
Game 32: Ice at Chicago
The Ice head north to Bensenville, Ill. to face the Chicago Steel tonight to look to continue their recent hot streak. The Ice will have to do much of it on the road -- six of the next seven games will be away from friendly ice, including a game next Saturday (1/28) that had to be moved from Indianapolis to Muskegon due to arena conflicts. The Friday 1/27 game was also moved -- but to Bankers Life Fieldhouse -- and will be the team's last home game before Feb. 10.
The Ice might be the hottest team in the league, but the Steel, coached by old friend Scott McConnell, are looking to gain some traction. They got a big boost this week when Luke Voltin expects to be joining the team from the USNDTP. Chicago is 14th in the league in both goals scored and goals allowed, and that has led to a 9-21-1 record. Meanwhile, the Ice aren't giving up many goals in their six-game winning streak, outscoring teams 21-10 in that six-game stretch. The Ice are now 9-0-2 in their last 11 games, including a 1-0-1 mark against Chicago in that stretch. Chicago has won one of its last seven.
Here's a look at tonight's game
Tonight's game
Indiana Ice (13-7-3)
at
Chicago Steel (9-21-1)
8:30 p.m., Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville, Ill.
Broadcast: ushl.fasthockey.com
Season series: Tied 1-1
Dec. 17: Ice 6, Steel 2 (at Chicago): Daniil Tarasov, Robbie Baillargeon G/2A each, Tyler Pham G/A, Woody Hudson, Sean Kuraly, Jacob Fallon G each, Jon Gillies 31sv (Ice); Joel Benson, Michael Villardo G each, Matthias Dahlstrom 24sv, 5GA (Chicago)
Dec. 16: Steel 3, Ice 2, SO (at Chicago): Daniil Tarasov, Christian Hilbrich 1G each, Jon Gillies 30sv (Ice); Michael Fallon G/A, Charlie O'Connor G, Mathias Dahlstrom 28sv (Chicago)
Tale of the Tape
Ice (20-7-4, 2nd USHL East)
Head coach: Kyle Wallack
GF: 112 (3rd). GA: 82 (3rd)
PP: 30.6% (1st). PK: 86.8 % (2nd) PIM: 541 (10th)
OT record: 3-2 SO record: 1-2
Rpad record: 9-2-3
Leading scorers: Daniil Tarasov (20-22-42), Sean Kuraly (18-14-32), Jacob Fallon (9-20-29), Robbie Baillargeon (11-17-28).
Leading +/-: Daniil Tarasov (+18), Alex Barron (+17), Ryan Obuchowski (+16)
Leading PIM: Woody Hudson (73), Daniil Tarasov (59), R.J. Boyd (53)
Leading goaltender: Jon Gillies (18-5-4, 2.29 GAA, .927sv%, 2 SHO), Dalton Izyk (2-2-0, 3.43 GAA, .888 sv%)
Last 5: 5-0-0. Last 10: 8-0-2
Last 5
1/13: vs. USA U18 (W 4-3)
1/7: vs. Youngstown (W 4-1)
1/6: at Waterloo (W 3-2)
12/31: vs. Youngstown (W 3-0)
12/30: vs. Youngstown (W 5-2)
Steel (9-21-1, 8th USHL East)
Head coach: Scott McConnell
GF: 76 (14th). GA: 119 (t14th)
PP: 15.7% (10th). PK: 80.7% (11th). PIM: 587 (12th)
OT record: 0-1 SO record: 2-0
Home record: 6-10-1
Leading scorers: Michael Fallon (11-15-26), Andrew Miller (10-5-15), Jimmy DeVito (3-10-13)
Leading +/-: Theo DiPauli (-1), Kyle Buffardi (-2)
Leading PIM: Joel Benson (68), Jimmy DeVito (62)
Leading goaltender: Mathias Dahlstrom (9-14-0, 3.35 GAA, .903sv%), Alex Sakellaropoulous (0-5-0, 4.19 GAA, .886 sv%)
Last 5: 1-4-0. Last 10: 2-8-0
Ice next 5 games
1/20: at Chicago
1/21: at Dubuque
1/27: vs. Chicago (at Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
1/28: at Muskegon
1/29: at Green Bay
The Ice might be the hottest team in the league, but the Steel, coached by old friend Scott McConnell, are looking to gain some traction. They got a big boost this week when Luke Voltin expects to be joining the team from the USNDTP. Chicago is 14th in the league in both goals scored and goals allowed, and that has led to a 9-21-1 record. Meanwhile, the Ice aren't giving up many goals in their six-game winning streak, outscoring teams 21-10 in that six-game stretch. The Ice are now 9-0-2 in their last 11 games, including a 1-0-1 mark against Chicago in that stretch. Chicago has won one of its last seven.
Here's a look at tonight's game
Tonight's game
Indiana Ice (13-7-3)
at
Chicago Steel (9-21-1)
8:30 p.m., Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville, Ill.
Broadcast: ushl.fasthockey.com
Season series: Tied 1-1
Dec. 17: Ice 6, Steel 2 (at Chicago): Daniil Tarasov, Robbie Baillargeon G/2A each, Tyler Pham G/A, Woody Hudson, Sean Kuraly, Jacob Fallon G each, Jon Gillies 31sv (Ice); Joel Benson, Michael Villardo G each, Matthias Dahlstrom 24sv, 5GA (Chicago)
Dec. 16: Steel 3, Ice 2, SO (at Chicago): Daniil Tarasov, Christian Hilbrich 1G each, Jon Gillies 30sv (Ice); Michael Fallon G/A, Charlie O'Connor G, Mathias Dahlstrom 28sv (Chicago)
Tale of the Tape
Ice (20-7-4, 2nd USHL East)
Head coach: Kyle Wallack
GF: 112 (3rd). GA: 82 (3rd)
PP: 30.6% (1st). PK: 86.8 % (2nd) PIM: 541 (10th)
OT record: 3-2 SO record: 1-2
Rpad record: 9-2-3
Leading scorers: Daniil Tarasov (20-22-42), Sean Kuraly (18-14-32), Jacob Fallon (9-20-29), Robbie Baillargeon (11-17-28).
Leading +/-: Daniil Tarasov (+18), Alex Barron (+17), Ryan Obuchowski (+16)
Leading PIM: Woody Hudson (73), Daniil Tarasov (59), R.J. Boyd (53)
Leading goaltender: Jon Gillies (18-5-4, 2.29 GAA, .927sv%, 2 SHO), Dalton Izyk (2-2-0, 3.43 GAA, .888 sv%)
Last 5: 5-0-0. Last 10: 8-0-2
Last 5
1/13: vs. USA U18 (W 4-3)
1/7: vs. Youngstown (W 4-1)
1/6: at Waterloo (W 3-2)
12/31: vs. Youngstown (W 3-0)
12/30: vs. Youngstown (W 5-2)
Steel (9-21-1, 8th USHL East)
Head coach: Scott McConnell
GF: 76 (14th). GA: 119 (t14th)
PP: 15.7% (10th). PK: 80.7% (11th). PIM: 587 (12th)
OT record: 0-1 SO record: 2-0
Home record: 6-10-1
Leading scorers: Michael Fallon (11-15-26), Andrew Miller (10-5-15), Jimmy DeVito (3-10-13)
Leading +/-: Theo DiPauli (-1), Kyle Buffardi (-2)
Leading PIM: Joel Benson (68), Jimmy DeVito (62)
Leading goaltender: Mathias Dahlstrom (9-14-0, 3.35 GAA, .903sv%), Alex Sakellaropoulous (0-5-0, 4.19 GAA, .886 sv%)
Last 5: 1-4-0. Last 10: 2-8-0
Ice next 5 games
1/20: at Chicago
1/21: at Dubuque
1/27: vs. Chicago (at Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
1/28: at Muskegon
1/29: at Green Bay
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Ice announce schedule changes
The Indiana Ice have announced a handful of schedule changes: some of which are clarifying previously-announced changes:
The Ice's home game against the Chicago Steel on Friday, Jan. 27 will be played at the newly-renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse (formerly Conseco Fieldhouse) instead of the Pepsi Coliseum, due to a Super Bowl-related event taking place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It was previously announced that the Saturday, Jan. 28 home game against the Muskegon Lumberjacks will be played at Muskegon.
Also, the Friday, April 13 game against the USNDTP will be moved to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, also due to rink availability. It will be played at the Pepsi Coliseum.
The Ice's home game against the Chicago Steel on Friday, Jan. 27 will be played at the newly-renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse (formerly Conseco Fieldhouse) instead of the Pepsi Coliseum, due to a Super Bowl-related event taking place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It was previously announced that the Saturday, Jan. 28 home game against the Muskegon Lumberjacks will be played at Muskegon.
Also, the Friday, April 13 game against the USNDTP will be moved to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, also due to rink availability. It will be played at the Pepsi Coliseum.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Ice beat Chicago 6-2, play Muskegon today
The Indiana Ice got back on the winning track Saturday with a 6-2 victory over the Chicago Steel.
It was the team's third win in four games -- and its fourth consecutive game garnering at least one standings point.
Sean Kuraly and Tyler Pham scored 57 seconds apart midway through the second period to give the Ice a 3-1 lead. For Pham, it was his first goal.
Chicago scored a power play goal late in the second, but Robbie Baillargeon scored 52 seconds into the third to restore a two-goal advantage, then assisted on Daniil Tarasov's power play goal four and a half minutes later to create a 5-2 lead. Woody Hudson's empty-netter provided an exclamation point.
The newly-created line of Jacob Fallon-Tarasov-Baillargeon connected for three goals -- Tarasov was +3 on the day -- with Fallon scoring in the first period. Tarasov and Baillargeon each had three-point nights, with two assists to go along with their third-period goals.
Tarasov now has 34 points -- good enough for second-best in the USHL. His 15 goals and 19 assists are also all second in the USHL. He has a four-game point scoring streak going. He has at least one point in eight of his last nine games. Fallon's 9-18-27 line is second on the team. Kuraly added to his goal total with 14 -- second-best on the team behind Tarasov.
Kuraly's goal was set up by linemate Dan Sherer. The line of John Doherty-Pham-Hudson also connected twice, with Pham collecting a goal and an assist.
Jon Gillies made 31 saves in the win, his USHL-best 13th goaltending win of the year.
With a 14-7-3 record, the Ice remained in fourth place in the USHL's Eastern Conference, two points back of Dubuque and Youngstown, who remain tied for second. The Ice can forge a three-way tie with a victory at eighth-place Muskegon tonight.
Three stars
1. Daniil Tarasov (Ice), goal, 2 assists, +3, 4 shots
2. Robbie Baillargeon (Ice), goal, 2 assists, +2, 2 shots
3. Michael Villardo (CHI), goal, 2 shots
It was the team's third win in four games -- and its fourth consecutive game garnering at least one standings point.
Sean Kuraly and Tyler Pham scored 57 seconds apart midway through the second period to give the Ice a 3-1 lead. For Pham, it was his first goal.
Chicago scored a power play goal late in the second, but Robbie Baillargeon scored 52 seconds into the third to restore a two-goal advantage, then assisted on Daniil Tarasov's power play goal four and a half minutes later to create a 5-2 lead. Woody Hudson's empty-netter provided an exclamation point.
The newly-created line of Jacob Fallon-Tarasov-Baillargeon connected for three goals -- Tarasov was +3 on the day -- with Fallon scoring in the first period. Tarasov and Baillargeon each had three-point nights, with two assists to go along with their third-period goals.
Tarasov now has 34 points -- good enough for second-best in the USHL. His 15 goals and 19 assists are also all second in the USHL. He has a four-game point scoring streak going. He has at least one point in eight of his last nine games. Fallon's 9-18-27 line is second on the team. Kuraly added to his goal total with 14 -- second-best on the team behind Tarasov.
Kuraly's goal was set up by linemate Dan Sherer. The line of John Doherty-Pham-Hudson also connected twice, with Pham collecting a goal and an assist.
Jon Gillies made 31 saves in the win, his USHL-best 13th goaltending win of the year.
With a 14-7-3 record, the Ice remained in fourth place in the USHL's Eastern Conference, two points back of Dubuque and Youngstown, who remain tied for second. The Ice can forge a three-way tie with a victory at eighth-place Muskegon tonight.
Three stars
1. Daniil Tarasov (Ice), goal, 2 assists, +3, 4 shots
2. Robbie Baillargeon (Ice), goal, 2 assists, +2, 2 shots
3. Michael Villardo (CHI), goal, 2 shots
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Game 24: Ice at Chicago
Time for the second leg of the Ice-Steel back-to-back. Chicago wins the first round 3-2.
Tonight's game
Indiana Ice (13-7-3)
at
Chicago Steel (8-14-1)
8:05 p.m., Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville, Ill.
Broadcast: ushl.fasthockey.com
Season series: Steel lead 1-0
Dec. 16: Steel 3, Ice 2, SO (at Chicago): Daniil Tarasov, Christian Hilbrich 1G each, Jon Gillies 30sv (Ice); Michael Fallon G/A, Charlie O'Connor G, Mathias Dahlstrom 28sv (Chicago)
Tale of the Tape
Ice (13-7-3, 4th USHL East)
Head coach: Kyle Wallack
GF: 82 (2nd). GA: 67 (8th)
PP: 31.7% (1st). PK: 85.8 % (3rd) PIM: 439 (13th)
OT record: 2-1 SO record: 1-2
Road record: 6-2-2
Leading scorers: Daniil Tarasov (14-17-31), Jacob Fallon (8-18-26), Sean Kuraly (13-11-24), Robbie Baillargeon (8-12-20).
Leading +/-: Alex Barron (+14), Daniil Tarasov (+13), Ryan Obuchowski (+11)
Leading PIM: Woody Hudson (60), Daniil Tarasov (53), R.J. Boyd (47)
Leading goaltender: Jon Gillies (12-5-3, 2.46 GAA, .923sv%, 1 SHO), Dalton Izyk (1-2-0, 3.77 GAA, .878 sv%)
Last 5: 2-3-0. Last 10: 5-5-0
Last 5
12/9: vs. Dubuque (W 6-1)
12/4: vs. Green Bay (L 2-4)
12/3: vs. Green Bay (L 1-5)
12/2: vs. Sioux Falls (W 4-1)
11/26: vs. Fargo (W 5-3)
Steel (8-14-1, 7th USHL East)
Head coach: Scott McConnell
GF: 60 (15th). GA: 78 (13th)
PP: 14.1% (11th). PK: 83.0% (7th). PIM: 403 (11th)
OT record: 0-1 SO record: 2-0
Home record: 6-6-1
Leading scorers: Michael Fallon (8-11-19), Andrew Miller (9-4-13), Zach Saar (8-5-13)
Leading +/-: Jacob Slavin (+3), Jeff Kubiak (+1)
Leading PIM: Ryan Trenz (40)
Leading goaltender: Mathias Dahlstrom (8-11-0, 2.92 GAA, .913sv%), Alex Sakellaropoulous (0-1-0, 3.66 GAA, .905 sv%)
Last 5: 1-3-1. Last 10: 3-6-1
Ice next 5 games
12/17: at Chicago
12/18: at Muskegon
12/28: at Muskegon
12/30: vs. Youngstown
Tonight's game
Indiana Ice (13-7-3)
at
Chicago Steel (8-14-1)
8:05 p.m., Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville, Ill.
Broadcast: ushl.fasthockey.com
Season series: Steel lead 1-0
Dec. 16: Steel 3, Ice 2, SO (at Chicago): Daniil Tarasov, Christian Hilbrich 1G each, Jon Gillies 30sv (Ice); Michael Fallon G/A, Charlie O'Connor G, Mathias Dahlstrom 28sv (Chicago)
Tale of the Tape
Ice (13-7-3, 4th USHL East)
Head coach: Kyle Wallack
GF: 82 (2nd). GA: 67 (8th)
PP: 31.7% (1st). PK: 85.8 % (3rd) PIM: 439 (13th)
OT record: 2-1 SO record: 1-2
Road record: 6-2-2
Leading scorers: Daniil Tarasov (14-17-31), Jacob Fallon (8-18-26), Sean Kuraly (13-11-24), Robbie Baillargeon (8-12-20).
Leading +/-: Alex Barron (+14), Daniil Tarasov (+13), Ryan Obuchowski (+11)
Leading PIM: Woody Hudson (60), Daniil Tarasov (53), R.J. Boyd (47)
Leading goaltender: Jon Gillies (12-5-3, 2.46 GAA, .923sv%, 1 SHO), Dalton Izyk (1-2-0, 3.77 GAA, .878 sv%)
Last 5: 2-3-0. Last 10: 5-5-0
Last 5
12/9: vs. Dubuque (W 6-1)
12/4: vs. Green Bay (L 2-4)
12/3: vs. Green Bay (L 1-5)
12/2: vs. Sioux Falls (W 4-1)
11/26: vs. Fargo (W 5-3)
Steel (8-14-1, 7th USHL East)
Head coach: Scott McConnell
GF: 60 (15th). GA: 78 (13th)
PP: 14.1% (11th). PK: 83.0% (7th). PIM: 403 (11th)
OT record: 0-1 SO record: 2-0
Home record: 6-6-1
Leading scorers: Michael Fallon (8-11-19), Andrew Miller (9-4-13), Zach Saar (8-5-13)
Leading +/-: Jacob Slavin (+3), Jeff Kubiak (+1)
Leading PIM: Ryan Trenz (40)
Leading goaltender: Mathias Dahlstrom (8-11-0, 2.92 GAA, .913sv%), Alex Sakellaropoulous (0-1-0, 3.66 GAA, .905 sv%)
Last 5: 1-3-1. Last 10: 3-6-1
Ice next 5 games
12/17: at Chicago
12/18: at Muskegon
12/28: at Muskegon
12/30: vs. Youngstown
12/31: vs. Youngstown
Steel outlasts Ice in shootout
After a seven-game homestand, the Ice began a three-game road weekend Friday with a trip to Chicago.
While the Ice rallied twice and got yet another strong goaltending performance from Jon Gillies, they fell 3-2 to the Steel in a shootout.
The SOL nets the Ice a standings point, and moves them to 13-7-3, still firmly in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 29 points, two back of second-place Youngstown and Dubuque, who are tied with 31 points.
Daniil Tarasov's 14th goal of the year tied the game at 2-2 with 4:25 left and sent the game into OT. From there, neither team could score -- each got two shots in the five-minute extra session. The goaltenders took center stage in the shootout, which went to the final shooter scoreless before Chicago's Michael Vilardo scored to give the Steel the victory.
Robbie Baillargeon and Ice newcomer John Doherty assisted on Tarasov's game-tying goal -- for Doherty, it was his first point as an Iceman.
The teams went scoreless through the opening period, and it took to nearly midway through the game before the Steel's Charlie O'Connor scored shorthanded at 7:27 of the second. Seven and a half minutes later, Christian Hilbrich tied it up with a power play goal, assisted by Drew Smolcynski.
Chicago temporarily took the lead at 8:58 of the third with Michael Fallon's goal during a 5-on-3 advantage, but the Ice would eventually tie it up. The Ice spent much of the third period shorthanded, as Chicago got five power plays in the period. The Steel went 1-for-8 with the man advantage. The Ice were 1-for-5, but also saw Chicago score a shorthanded goal.
Gillies made 30 saves in the shootout loss. Chicago's Mathias Dahlstrom stopped 29 shots.
The two teams meet again Saturday night at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill., the Steel's home rink.
Three stars
1. Michael Vilardo (CHI), GWG in shootout, assist, 4 shots
2. Michael Fallon (CHI), goal, assist, 6 shots
3. Charlie O'Connor (CHI), goal, 2 shots, +2
USHL boxscore
While the Ice rallied twice and got yet another strong goaltending performance from Jon Gillies, they fell 3-2 to the Steel in a shootout.
The SOL nets the Ice a standings point, and moves them to 13-7-3, still firmly in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 29 points, two back of second-place Youngstown and Dubuque, who are tied with 31 points.
Daniil Tarasov's 14th goal of the year tied the game at 2-2 with 4:25 left and sent the game into OT. From there, neither team could score -- each got two shots in the five-minute extra session. The goaltenders took center stage in the shootout, which went to the final shooter scoreless before Chicago's Michael Vilardo scored to give the Steel the victory.
Robbie Baillargeon and Ice newcomer John Doherty assisted on Tarasov's game-tying goal -- for Doherty, it was his first point as an Iceman.
The teams went scoreless through the opening period, and it took to nearly midway through the game before the Steel's Charlie O'Connor scored shorthanded at 7:27 of the second. Seven and a half minutes later, Christian Hilbrich tied it up with a power play goal, assisted by Drew Smolcynski.
Chicago temporarily took the lead at 8:58 of the third with Michael Fallon's goal during a 5-on-3 advantage, but the Ice would eventually tie it up. The Ice spent much of the third period shorthanded, as Chicago got five power plays in the period. The Steel went 1-for-8 with the man advantage. The Ice were 1-for-5, but also saw Chicago score a shorthanded goal.
The two teams meet again Saturday night at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill., the Steel's home rink.
Three stars
1. Michael Vilardo (CHI), GWG in shootout, assist, 4 shots
2. Michael Fallon (CHI), goal, assist, 6 shots
3. Charlie O'Connor (CHI), goal, 2 shots, +2
USHL boxscore
Friday, November 18, 2011
Ice Jan. 27-28 games moved due to Super Bowl
Due to Super Bowl festivities, the Ice's Jan. 27-28 home games have been moved to accommodate Super Bowl-related events at Pepsi Coliseum.
The Jan. 27 home game against Chicago will be at a TBA site. The Ice announced that season ticketholders will be accommodated first when the site is chosen.
The Jan. 28 home game against Muskegon has been moved to the L.C. Walker Sports Arena in Muskegon -- the Lumberjacks' home ice.
The Jan. 27 home game against Chicago will be at a TBA site. The Ice announced that season ticketholders will be accommodated first when the site is chosen.
The Jan. 28 home game against Muskegon has been moved to the L.C. Walker Sports Arena in Muskegon -- the Lumberjacks' home ice.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
First look at the Ice
We got our first look at the Ice with their home preseason game vs. Chicago at the Carmel Ice Skadium this afternoon.
The two teams got a lot of chances to work on their special teams, as all four goals in the Ice's 3-1 victory were power play tallies.
The Ice were 3-for-8, while Chicago was 1-for-7 on the PP. Jon Gillies made 20 saves for the Ice in his first preseason start. He had to make a handful of tough saves -- the one goal he allowed was on a 5-on-3 -- but so did Chicago's Matthias Dahlstrom, who was peppered with 35 Ice shots and had to stop several odd-man rushes.
After a scoreless first period, the Ice drew first blood when Emil Romig converted a cross-ice feed from Robert Gawron from the left point to the right circle, and Romig buried it at 9:27 of the second period. Chicago answered when the Ice's Dan Sherer and R.J. Boyd took back-to-back hooking penalties 36 seconds apart. It took just 10 seconds for Zach Saar to tie the game.
The Ice put it away in the final 10 minutes of the third. With 9:28 left, Cody Gyllyng scored from in front on the PP setup. Then, with 2:36 left, Ryan Obuchowski ripped a shot from the high slot into the top-shelf right under the crossbar. Gillies had to make a couple of tough stops after Chicago pulled its netminder in the final minute for the extra attacker and maintained pressure, but the Ice won.
As new coach Kyle Wallack and his staff are getting a look at a lot of players, Daniil Tarasov and first-round pick Tyler Pham were among the scratches tonight (along with Woody Hudson, Ian Spencer and Miha Stebih).
The good:
Nine different players in on the scoring, coming from three different forward lines playing as PP units -- Romig, Jacob Fallon and Drew Mayer for the first goal (d-man Robert Gawron had the first assist, joining R.J. Boyd on the blueline. Fallon had the second assist). In fact, Gawron was the only player on the ice for more than one goal.
Gyllying was the right wing with Cody Bradley and Robert Polosello for the second goal. Polosello and Joseph Fiala had the assists (Fiala was teamed with Gawron).
The line of Christian Hilbrich-Robbie Baillargeon-Sean Kuraly produced Obuchowski's goal, with Hilbrich and Baillargeon getting the assists. Defenseman Alex Barron was also on the point.
Drew Smolcynski-Dan Sherer-Dan Cesarz also skated together, and produced chances. Cesarz had a point-blank look late in the game.
Of course, Gillies was solid. The Ice controlled the play much of the night -- Gillies had hardly any work in the first period.
Game boxscore (Pointstreak)
Also, the uniforms
The Ice also debuted new jerseys today, with a very classic look. The solid white jerseys have two thin sets of blue stripes at the bottom and on the sleeves, with the two-tone blue Ice logo in the middle, block numbers on the back with serifed nameplates, and Maple Leafs-style socks. Very, very simple and sharp. The 2004-05 white uniforms were my favorites, but these might eclipse those.
Next up
The Ice's next preseason game is Sept. 17 -- Saturday night -- against Muskegon. It will be played at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
The two teams got a lot of chances to work on their special teams, as all four goals in the Ice's 3-1 victory were power play tallies.
The Ice were 3-for-8, while Chicago was 1-for-7 on the PP. Jon Gillies made 20 saves for the Ice in his first preseason start. He had to make a handful of tough saves -- the one goal he allowed was on a 5-on-3 -- but so did Chicago's Matthias Dahlstrom, who was peppered with 35 Ice shots and had to stop several odd-man rushes.
After a scoreless first period, the Ice drew first blood when Emil Romig converted a cross-ice feed from Robert Gawron from the left point to the right circle, and Romig buried it at 9:27 of the second period. Chicago answered when the Ice's Dan Sherer and R.J. Boyd took back-to-back hooking penalties 36 seconds apart. It took just 10 seconds for Zach Saar to tie the game.
The Ice put it away in the final 10 minutes of the third. With 9:28 left, Cody Gyllyng scored from in front on the PP setup. Then, with 2:36 left, Ryan Obuchowski ripped a shot from the high slot into the top-shelf right under the crossbar. Gillies had to make a couple of tough stops after Chicago pulled its netminder in the final minute for the extra attacker and maintained pressure, but the Ice won.
As new coach Kyle Wallack and his staff are getting a look at a lot of players, Daniil Tarasov and first-round pick Tyler Pham were among the scratches tonight (along with Woody Hudson, Ian Spencer and Miha Stebih).
The good:
Nine different players in on the scoring, coming from three different forward lines playing as PP units -- Romig, Jacob Fallon and Drew Mayer for the first goal (d-man Robert Gawron had the first assist, joining R.J. Boyd on the blueline. Fallon had the second assist). In fact, Gawron was the only player on the ice for more than one goal.
Gyllying was the right wing with Cody Bradley and Robert Polosello for the second goal. Polosello and Joseph Fiala had the assists (Fiala was teamed with Gawron).
The line of Christian Hilbrich-Robbie Baillargeon-Sean Kuraly produced Obuchowski's goal, with Hilbrich and Baillargeon getting the assists. Defenseman Alex Barron was also on the point.
Drew Smolcynski-Dan Sherer-Dan Cesarz also skated together, and produced chances. Cesarz had a point-blank look late in the game.
Of course, Gillies was solid. The Ice controlled the play much of the night -- Gillies had hardly any work in the first period.
Game boxscore (Pointstreak)
Also, the uniforms
The Ice also debuted new jerseys today, with a very classic look. The solid white jerseys have two thin sets of blue stripes at the bottom and on the sleeves, with the two-tone blue Ice logo in the middle, block numbers on the back with serifed nameplates, and Maple Leafs-style socks. Very, very simple and sharp. The 2004-05 white uniforms were my favorites, but these might eclipse those.
Next up
The Ice's next preseason game is Sept. 17 -- Saturday night -- against Muskegon. It will be played at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
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