[truebluefan]

USHL names players of the week

USHL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Blake Martin

Sioux City

Anchorage, Alaska

Martin helped Sioux City win three games and move into first place in the west. He scored 4-3-7 on the week, with 2 PPG and 1 GWG. He had 15 shots on goal and was a +7. Runner-Up: Rich Purslow of Des Moines (2GP, 2-4-6, 2PPG, 9 SOG)

USHL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Vince Lo Verde

Waterloo

Chicago, Ill.

LoVerde had a four point weekend, with three points (PPG, GWG) in Waterloo s 5-2 win at Green Bay, and scored again the next night in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Gamblers. Runner-Up: Joe Sova of Sioux City (3GP 0-4-4,+7, 7 SOG)

USHL/STAUBER S GOALCREASE GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Matt Dalton

Des Moines

Clinton, Ontario

Dalton went 2-0-0 last week with a 5-1 win over Chicago and a 6-4 win over Omaha. He stopped 61 of 66 shots faced (.924 SV%) and had a goals against average of 2.50. Runner-Up: Alex Kangas of Indiana (2GP, 2-0-0, 2.50 GAA, .923 SV%)

 

[truebluefan]

Red-hot Ice 6-0-1 in last seven games

SIOUX "FALLS" HARD: The Indiana Ice defeated the defending West Division Champion Sioux Falls Stampede in both games of last weekend's two-game homestand by scores of 4-3 on Friday night and 4-2 on Saturday evening. Friday: Mike Hull's second goal of the night with ten seconds remaining sealed the victory for Indiana after the two clubs traded the lead back and forth throughout much of the evening. Mike Gurtler and Jake Skjodt added tallies for the Ice while Alex Kangas thwarted the Stampede attack with 32 saves. Saturday: Indiana jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period before the Stampede could react with two scores of their own. Skjodt opened the scoring for Indiana and Garrett Roe knocked home two power play goals in a nine-minute stretch. Skjodt scored again to seal the win with an empty netter late in the third as Indiana rode workhorse goaltender Alex Kangas to their sixth win in seven games.

MR. FRANCHISE: Roe's third season with the Indiana Ice has proved to be a record-breaking year just 20 games in. Roe appeared in his 117th game with Indiana on Saturday evening, breaking the previous mark of 116 set by ex-Ice blueliner Eddie Del Grosso (2004-06). On the same night, Roe broke Del Grosso's all-time goal scoring record of 34 goals when he knocked home numbers 35 and 36. Roe currently has 99 points in his career with the Ice and looks to reach the 100-point milestone this weekend in Omaha. He enters this weekends' games on the heels of a six-game point streak (4G, 6A).

HOT SKJODT: Jake Skjodt has gone on an offensive tear of late with ten points (7G, 3A) in his last six appearances, including three multiple goal games and four multi-point games. He currently leads all Ice players in goals (12) and power play goals (7).

THE GIVER: With helpers in both weekend match-ups, John Kemp stretched his assist-streak to seven games, breaking an all-time Ice record. Kemp has 16 points in the last seven contests (3G, 13A) and is tied for the USHL lead with 23 assists on the season.

DEFENSIVE AWAKENING: After a sluggish 4-5-1 start to the season, Indiana has come alive in their last ten contests with a record of 7-2-1. Their recent success stems from a defensive turnaround where they have allowed only 2.7 goals/game after allowing 4.3 goals/game through the first ten contests. The penalty kill has come alive as well, as it has improved from 78.2% to 89% in the last ten games.

ALUMNI UPDATE: Merrimack's Pat Watson (2004-05) posted a 37-save shutout last week in a 3-0 win over Massachusetts....Bemidji State's Travis Winter (2004-05) recorded four points (2G, 2A) in two weekend wins over Minnesota-Duluth.

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE_________________________SEASON RECORD 11-7-2

Friday, Dec. 15 at Omaha 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16 at Omaha 8:00 p.m.

ALL HOME GAMES AT PEPSI COLISEUM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. BOTH GAMES WILL BE AIRED ON B2 NETWORKS. GO TO Indiana Ice AND VISIT THE GAME CENTER TO ACCESS AUDIO OR VIDEO FEEDS.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The Ice is scheduled to practice at Pepsi Coliseum Tuesday through Thursday from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.

 

[truebluefan]

Junior Blue Jackets announce Teddy Bear Toss Saturday

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets will have the first annual Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Nationwide Arena during a game versus the Lincoln Stars. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m.

The toss will happen after the first Junior Blue Jackets goal of the game, when fans will be allowed to throw the Teddy Bears they have brought onto the ice. The Teddy Bears will be donated to the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, who will in turn give them away to children during their tour of duty. Members of the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation will be in attendance to accept the donation. The Junior Blue Jackets organization asks that people bring at least one bear per family.

In addition, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Pascal Leclaire will be signing autographs from 5:30 - 6 p.m. on the main concourse in Nationwide Arena prior to the start of Sunday's contest between Ohio and Lincoln. The game is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will feature a visit from Santa Stinger.

The Junior Blue Jackets play five home games in the month of December, 12-13 against Green Bay, 16-17 versus Lincoln and a New Year's Eve match up with the Chicago Steel.

Ohio Junior Blue Jackets individual game tickets for 2006-07 regular season home games are on sale now at Nationwide Arena, The Chiller Ice Rinks, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers and Columbus Blue Jackets. For information on season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or (800) NHL-COLS.

 

[truebluefan]

RoughRiders' Stephens Commits to Dartmouth, Dickinson Bound for Quinnipiac

Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders captain Evan Stephens has committed to Dartmouth while Rider assistant captain Brett Dickinson will play his college hockey at Quinnipiac, the RoughRiders announced today. The two defensemen will begin their college careers next season.

Stephens, 20, is in his second season with the RoughRiders and his fourth year in the United States Hockey League. The Bessemer, Michigan, native is currently tied for fourth among USHL defensemen in assists (11) and tied for seventh in among blue liners in points (14). He has also posted a plus/minus rating of +5.

Last season Stephens scored four goals and totaled 16 points in 54 games. He joined the Riders in the summer of 2005 after spending two seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede.

This is also Dickinson's second season with the Riders. The 20-year Furlong, Pennsylvania, product has scored two goals and notched 11 points while turning in a +4 in 20 games this year.

In 49 games last season, Dickinson scored one goal and recorded five points. He was selected by the Riders in the ninth round of the May, 2005 USHL draft with the ninety-third overall choice.

Quinnipiac- which is located in Hamden, Connecticut- currently leads the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference with a record of 5-2-3 in conference play. The Bobcats, who have gone 8-4-4 overall, are ranked twentieth in the nation.

Dartmouth is also off to a solid start. The Big Green has gone 5-3-2 overall and is tied for third in the ECAC with a conference record of 4-3-2.

Stephens and Dickinson join Richard Bachman (Colorado College), Robin Bergman (Notre Dame), Jacob Cepis (Bowling Green), Doug Jones (Princeton), Matt Tomassoni (Miami of Ohio), Kevin Wehrs (Minnesota), Scott Wietecha (Ferris State) and Tommy Wingels (Miami of Ohio) as the ninth and tenth members of the 2006-07 RoughRiders to make college commitments.

The RoughRiders (13-7-0, 26 points) are in second place in the USHL's East Division, three points behind the division-leading Waterloo Black Hawks. The Riders return to action with three games in three days this weekend. The Riders will head to Kearney, Nebraska to meet the Tri-City Storm Friday night at 7:05 and Saturday afternoon at 3:05. The Riders will play their final game before the USHL's holiday break Sunday afternoon at 4:05 against the Musketeers in Sioux City.

The RoughRiders are next in action on home ice on Friday night, December 29, when they meet the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05. Tickets for all remaining Rider regular season home games- including the December 29 contest- are now on sale. Tickets are available for purchase in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or on line at Home of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders > Home. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Ticket prices range from $7 to $17 in advance and from $8 to $18 on game days.

 

[truebluefan]

RoughRiders' Cannone Commits to Miami of Ohio

Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Pat Cannone has committed to Miami of Ohio, the RoughRiders announced today. Cannone will begin his college career next season.

Cannone, 20, is the Riders' second leading point-scorer. The Bayport, New York, native has scored eight goals and totaled 20 points in 20 games this season. Cannone is also tied for the team lead in plus/minus rating (+8).

The Riders selected Cannone in the twentieth round of May's United States Hockey League draft with the one hundred eighty-fourth overall pick. He arrived in Cedar Rapids after skating for the New England Jr. Falcons of the Eastern Junior (B) Hockey League last season.

Cannone is, along with forward Tommy Wingels and defenseman Matt Tomassoni, the third current RoughRider to commit to Miami. Four Rider alumni- forwards Billy Loupee and Gary Steffes and defensemen Ray Eichenlaub and Alec Martinez- already play for the fifth-ranked Red Hawks. Miami has gone 14-5-1 overall this season and leads the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with a 10-3-1 conference record.

Cannone joins Richard Bachman (Colorado College), Robin Bergman (Notre Dame), Jacob Cepis (Bowling Green), Brett Dickinson (Quinnipiac), Doug Jones (Princeton), Evan Stephens (Dartmouth), Matt Tomassoni (Miami of Ohio), Kevin Wehrs (Minnesota), Scott Wietecha (Ferris State) and Tommy Wingels (Miami of Ohio) as the eleventh member of the 2006-07 RoughRiders to make a college commitment.

The RoughRiders (13-7-0, 26 points) are in second place in the USHL's East Division, three points behind the division-leading Waterloo Black Hawks. The Riders return to action with three games in three days this weekend. The Riders will head to Kearney, Nebraska to meet the Tri-City Storm Friday night at 7:05 and Saturday afternoon at 3:05. The Riders will play their final game before the USHL's holiday break Sunday afternoon at 4:05 against the Musketeers in Sioux City.

The RoughRiders are next in action on home ice on Friday night, December 29, when they meet the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05. Tickets for all remaining Rider regular season home games- including the December 29 contest- are now on sale. Tickets are available for purchase in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or on line at Home of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders > Home. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Ticket prices range from $7 to $17 in advance and from $8 to $18 on game days.

 

[truebluefan]

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly

Eastern Division Respite

A string of eight consecutive games against the Eastern Division ended Saturday when Waterloo hosted Green Bay. The Hawks posted a 6-1-1 record during the stretch, dating back to November 17th. Three of the victories came against Indiana; the Ice have won the other seven games they've played since November 10th. Also during the run, the Black Hawks won in Cedar Rapids for the first time in more than a season.

Clutch Goals Twice Over

In Green Bay Friday, Vince LoVerde scored for the first time this season. The second-period powerplay goal proved to be the game-winner. Tim Gilbert's second goal of the season came with a minute remaining, into an open net, to seal the win. The next night back in Waterloo, LoVerde scored again to start a Waterloo comeback. Gilbert's third-period goal tied the game and earned a point for the Hawks by forcing overtime. It was the second time this season Gilbert has come through with a goal in that situation. LoVerde is the USHL Defensive Player of the Week for his effort, which also included two assists.

The Finalists Were...

Waterloo's two opponents this week played against each other in the spring for the Clark Cup. Sioux Falls and Des Moines are divisional rivals this season after Des Moines moved to the West during realignment.

Hawks and Bucs one More Time

Saturday is the fourth and final meeting between the Black Hawks and Buccaneers. So far, Waterloo is 1-1-1 versus Des Moines. A regulation win would give the Hawks an edge in the season series. The only previous meeting at Young Arena this year went to the Hawks 4-2.

This Week

Wednesday 12/13 at Sioux Falls, 7:05

Saturday 12/16 v. Des Moines, 7:05

 

[truebluefan]

Riders Coach Carlson, Championship Productions Team Up for Instructional Videos

Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson has lent his expertise to a pair of instructional coaching DVD's- How to Improve Your Defensemen with Mark Carlson and Drills for Offensive Creativity with Mark Carlson- now available from Championship Productions.

In How to Improve Your Defenseman, Carlson shares 15 important drills for defensive hockey. All of the drills included deal with the small details that help defensemen become better players. In Drills for Offensive Creativity, Carlson covers 15 more drills that push players to work on all the fundamental skills needed for winning hockey. All drills are reinforced with footage from RoughRider practices.

Both videos are 40 minutes long and available online at Championship Productions, Inc. -- Instructional DVDs, Videos & Books for Coaches and Athletes! for $39.95 each.

Mark Carlson has been the RoughRiders' coach since the team arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1999. He has gone 231-166-38 behind the Rider bench and piloted the team to six straight winning seasons and six straight United States Hockey League Clark Cup playoff berths. In 2004-05 Carlson was named USHL Coach of the Year after leading led the RoughRiders to the first Clark Cup title in team history along with a share of the Anderson Cup regular season title.

Championship Productions provides high quality instructional products featuring renowned professionals in every sport and also provides the best customer service in the industry.

The RoughRiders (13-7-0, 26 points) are in second place in the USHL's East Division, three points behind the division-leading Waterloo Black Hawks. The Riders return to action with three games in three days this weekend. The Riders will head to Kearney, Nebraska to meet the Tri-City Storm Friday night at 7:05 and Saturday afternoon at 3:05. The Riders will play their final game before the USHL's holiday break Sunday afternoon at 4:05 against the Musketeers in Sioux City.

The RoughRiders are next in action on home ice on Friday night, December 29, when they meet the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05. Tickets for all remaining Rider regular season home games- including the December 29 contest- are now on sale. Tickets are available for purchase in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or on line at Home of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders > Home. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Ticket prices range from $7 to $17 in advance and from $8 to $18 on game days.

 

[truebluefan]

Junior Blue Jackets shut out by Green Bay, 2-0

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets had three new players for the game tonight, but they and the team were unable to score in a 2-0 loss to the Green Bay Gamblers at Nationwide Arena Tuesday.

Defenseman Dennis Urban, forward Brian Prost and goaltender Brandon Czarnecki suited up for the Junior Blue Jackets (1-16-5, 7 pts.) for the first time. Urban and Prost each had one shot on goal, while Czarnecki backed up starting goalie Troy Redmann.

Redmann had numerous saves to keep his team in the game, but Green Bay's Steve Silva slipped a short-handed goal past him in the first period. Despite the goal, the Junior Blue Jackets were able to outshoot the Gamblers (10-9-2, 22 pts.) seven to six in the period.

In the second, both team had few opportunities and again shots were few, with Ohio taking only four and Green Bay firing nine. The third period had much more action, as the home team fired more shots than it had in the first 40 minutes. However, it was the Gamblers who got the second goal of the night, when Sergio Somma scored with nine minutes left in the game.

The Junior Blue Jackets face the Green Bay Gamblers Wednesday at Nationwide Arena, with the game set to begin at 7 p.m. They play host to the Lincoln Stars this Saturday and Sunday. The game times are set for 1 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.

Ohio Junior Blue Jackets individual game tickets for 2006-07 regular season home games are on sale now at Nationwide Arena, The Chiller Ice Rinks, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers and click here for information on season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or (800) NHL-COLS.

 

[truebluefan]

Stormy preparing for birthday party

KEARNEY - The Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League along with the team mascot Stormy are busy preparing to celebrate the lovable mascot's birthday during Saturday's game against Cedar Rapids. The game begins at 3:05 p.m.

Stormy, who will be handing out birthday invitations at the Kearney SunMart today from 4-6 p.m., will turn seven years old on Saturday. Joining Stormy at the game will be Nickelodeon's Jimmy Neutron, Louie the Loper, the Kearney High Bearcat, the Grand Island Crusader and many of his other mascot friends.

 

[truebluefan]

Tony Stewart races into Pepsi Coliseum

INDIANAPOLIS, IN- The Indiana Ice is proud to announce "Tony Stewart Night", presented by J.D. Byrider on January 3rd as the Ice take on the Chicago Steel from Pepsi Coliseum at 7 p.m.

Winner of the 2005 Brickyard 400, Tony Stewart will make an encore appearance behind the Indiana Ice bench as an "Honorary Assistant Coach" for the first period of play. After the conclusion of the period, six rows of lucky fans will win a chance to meet the "Rushville Rocket" during an intermission and get autographs and/or a picture.

The evening will start at 6 p.m. with a special pre-game VIP party with the "Columbus Comet" at the Old National Bank Grand Hall. The VIP party with Tony Stewart features a special dinner, autograph session, and a silent auction for special Tony Stewart memorabilia. All proceeds will go to support the Tony Stewart Foundation, a major supporter of local youth-based charities.

The Ice will suit up in special commemorative Tony Stewart/J.D. Byrider jerseys as they do battle with East Division foe Chicago. Throughout the game, fans will have the opportunity to bid for their favorite player's game worn jersey signed by Tony Stewart at Ice merchandise stands.

Tickets for the VIP pre-game party are $75 and include admission to the game. They can be purchased through the Indiana Ice offices by calling (317) 925-4423.

Regular ticket prices are $11 and $15 and can be purchased for the January 3rd game and all home games at all Ticketmaster locations including select Marsh Supermarkets, Karma Records and the Pepsi Coliseum and Conseco Fieldhouse box offices, or by calling 239-5151 or online at ticketmaster.com. Indiana Ice season and group tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Ice office at 925-4423.

For all the latest Ice information, please visit Indiana Ice.