Ice pick up forward from Lincoln

The Indiana Ice announced today that they have picked up Ryan Cole in a trade with the Lincoln Stars.

Cole was acquired for future considerations. He will wear number 10, and likely be in uniform for Wednesday's game at Green Bay.

Cole had two assists in 12 games with the Stars. The Anchorage, Alaska native is 5-9, 175 and is a 1992 birthdate, so this will be his final USHL season. Last year, he was the leading scorer for New Hampshire's Kimball Union Academy, with 29 goals and 51 points.

“He is a very competitive player with a great shot as well,” Ice head coach Kyle Wallack said in a team release. “In addition, his overall enthusiasm for the game will definitely help our program.”

The USHL also announced earlier this week that Ice forward Woody Hudson has been suspended for three games. Hudson was given a team-record 37 penalty minutes -- including two fighting majors, a third major for leaving the bench, and a double-game misconduct -- in the Ice's 4-2 loss to the Waterloo Black Hawks last Saturday night. Hudson will be out all three games this week and return for the Dec. 2-4 homestand against Dubuque and Green Bay. 

Ice streak stops at 5

The Indiana Ice's season-opening winning streak stopped at five tonight, as the Ice fell to the Lincoln Stars 3-1 on the road in a matchup pitting the USHL's top offense against one of the league's top defenses. Lincoln goaltender Jackson Techiroeb made 30 saves in the victory for the Stars. Lincoln used second-period goals from Ralfs Freibergs and Paul Ladue -- the latter coming nine seconds into a penalty to Sean Kuraly -- to get the victory. Kevin Roy added an empty-netter in the final minute.

The Ice goal came as Christian Hilbrich tipped in a shot from Alexander Kuqali midway through the second. It tied the game at 1-1, but Techiroeb was too much to solve after that.

Both teams were 1-for-5 on the power play. Eleven of the Ice's 27 goals this season have come with the man advantage, as the Ice possess the league's most potent power play.

Jon Gillies made 28 saves for the Ice in the losing effort and was the third star. 

Lincoln coach Chad Johnson told the Journal-Star that the game had a playoff atmosphere early.

Three stars: 
1. Jackson Techroeb (LIN), 30 saves, 1 GA, win in goal
2. Paul Ladue (LIN), GWG, +1, 4 shots
3. Jon Gillies (Ice), 28 saves, 2GA

USHL boxscore
Lincoln Journal-Star story

Ice at Lincoln preview

The Indiana Ice extended their league-best (and franchise-record) start to 5-0-0 Friday night. Their Nebraska two-step continues tonight against the Lincoln Stars, one of the top teams in the USHL's Western Division. Lincoln comes in with a 3-1 mark. The Ice have had no problem scoring goals -- at more than 5 goals per game, they are the USHL's top-scoring team. They're also the top PP team. Meanwhile, Lincoln has had one of the USHL's stingiest defenses, allowing only two goals per game -- something that continued Friday in a 2-1 loss to Sioux Falls.


Tonight's game
Indiana Ice (5-0-0)
at
Lincoln Stars (3-2-0) 
8:05 p.m., The Ice Box, Lincoln, Neb.

Broadcast: ushl.fasthockey.com

Season series: First meeting


Tale of the Tape
Ice (5-0-0)
Head coach: Kyle Wallack
GF: 26 (1st). GA: 13 (4th)
PP: 43.5% (1st). PK: 85.2% (9th)
Road record: 4-0-0
Leading scorers: Daniil Tarasov (5-6-11), Sean Kuraly (3-7-10), Alex Barron (1-6-7), Robert Polosello (4-2-6).

Leading +/-: Alex Barron (+8), Daniil Tarasov (+6), Cody Bradley (+6)
Leading PIM: R.J. Boyd (26), Daniil Tarasov (16)

Leading goaltender: Jon Gillies (4-0-0, 2.22 GAA, .922sv%), Dalton Izyk (1-0-0, 4.00 GAA, .857 sv%)
Last 5
10/21: at Tri-City (W 6-2)
10/15: vs. USA (W 4-1)
10/8: at USA (W 7-4)
10/7: at USA (W 5-3)
10/1: at Cedar Rapids (otW 4-3) 


Stars (3-2-0)
Head coach: Chad Johnson
GF: 14 (9th). GA: 10 (2nd)
PP: 12.5% (10th). PK: 85.7% (7th)
Home record: 2-1-0
Leading scorers: Luke Johnson (1-5-6), Kevin Roy (3-2-5), Mike McKee (1-4-5).
Leading +/-: Luke Johnson, Ralfs Freibergs, Jared Hanson, Tommy Schutt (all +4)
Leading PIM: Richard Coyne (20), Mike McKee (20)
Leading goaltender: Jackson Techirob (2-1-0, 2.01 GAA, .921sv%); Charles Williams (1-1-0, 2.02 GAA, .925sv%, 1SHO).
Last 5
10/21: SIOUX FALLS (L 1-2)

10/15: at Sioux City (W 4-1)
10/14: CHICAGO (W 4-3)

10/7: WATERLOO (L 3-4)
10/1: SIOUX FALLS (W 2-0)