Tag Archives: #PHNECHL

Late-season signings making impact across league

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Over its 38-season history, the ECHL has carved its niche in the hockey world, developing players to advance to the American Hockey League and National Hockey League. One of the key components of the League’s success has been giving undrafted players a chance to show what they can do in the professional hockey world.Late-season signings making impact across league

A great opportunity for these young players to get experience in the pro game comes near the end of every season, after their college season has concluded and ECHL teams are seeking players to fill out their lineup, and get an early look at players for the next season.

From February 16 through March 24, 93 players from 43 different college programs signed with ECHL teams. Leading the way was Canisius University with seven players, followed by St. Cloud State University with six players ands Ferris State University with five players.

One of the more notable names to join the ECHL over the last five weeks is Jackson Niedermayer, who signed with the Tulsa Oilers after the completion of his senior season at Bowling Green State University. The son of Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer and nephew of 17-season NHL veteran Rob Niedermayer has two points (1g-1a) in his first six pro games. During his five-year collegiate career split between Bowling Green and Arizona State University, the 25-year-old totaled 44 points (20g-24a) in 124 games.

Niedermayer has been joined in Tulsa by Zachary Murray, the son of Oilers’ head coach Rob Murray. The 24-year-old had 53 points (21g-32a) in 92 career games at Division III Amherst College before signing with Tulsa on March 6. Murray has six points (2g-4a) in his first nine pro games, including a two-goal game in his second game on March 7 at Allen and a two-assist effort on March 21 at Idaho.

Jack Pascucci signed with Norfolk on March 6 after wrapping up his collegiate career with Canisius, joining the same organization his dad, Ron, played 133 games for from 1993-96. The stay-at-home defenseman recorded seven points – all assists – over his 75 college games with the Golden Griffins and the University of Connecticut. After not scoring a goal since the 2021-22 season when he was with Des Moines of the United States Hockey League, the 24-year-old lit the lamp for his first pro goal on March 20 against Greensboro.

By Joe Babik
ECHL Senior PR/Historical Specialist 

Tarr Records First Pro Goal in Loss to Kansas City

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WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita continued its four-game miniseries against Kansas City on Tuesday night, losing 4-1 at INTRUST Bank Arena. Tarr Records First Pro Goal in Loss to Kansas City

Oliver Tarr provided the lone Thunder tally with helpers to Cameron Mitchell and Robert Kincaid. Roddy Ross suffered the loss, stopping 23 shots.

After a scoreless first, Justin Janicke broke the ice just 15 seconds into the second. He worked into the offensive zone, cut across the top of the slot and fired a shot past Ross for his 15th of the year.

Marcus Crawford made it 2-0 at 7:49 on the power play. Jack Randl unloaded a one-timer from the deep slot that Crawford redirected past Ross for his 14th of the campaign.

Late in the second, Tarr put the Thunder on the board. He took a drop pass at the left circle, walked in and beat Jack LaFontaine to the short side and cut the lead to 2-1.

In the third, Lucas Sowder scored a pair of goals to help Kansas City pull away. He tallied his first at 4:16, firing a shot that found its way into the net from the top of the left circle.

His second came at 11:32 as he beat a Thunder defender to the top of the crease and redirected a shot from Bobo Carpenter to make it 4-1.

Tarr tallied his first professional goal while Mitchell recorded his first pro point with an assist.

Wichita went 1-for-2 on the power play. Kansas City was 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

The two teams play once again at 7:05 p.m. on Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena.

PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Icemen Gain Ground in the Standings with 2-1 Win Over Greenville

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – Topias Leinonen stopped 19 of 20 shots to help guide the Icemen to a 2-1 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Sunday evening. With the win, coupled with a Savannah loss on Sunday, the Icemen now pull within two points of the final playoff spot in the South Division.

It took the Icemen just 29 seconds to strike in this one, as Will Hillman netted his 14th goal of the season to give the Icemen the early 1-0 lead.

That score remained until the second period, when forward Craig Martin took off into the Greenville end for a breakaway chance and cleanly carved a backhanded shot into the corner of the net to give the Icemen the 2-0 edge.

Greenville tried to rally in the third, Denis Smirnov netted a tally to pull the Swamp Rabbits within one, but the Icemen would close this one out with a 2-1 victory.

The Icemen have some much needed time to rest before facing Atlanta in Duluth on Saturday.

With Jacksonville Icemen match report

Contact the photographer: Trina.Kirk@prohockeynews.com

 

PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Gladiators Lose 4-1 in Jacksonville

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Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen defeated the Atlanta Gladiators 4-1 on Friday night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Adam McMaster scored a pair of goals for the Icemen to help them earn the win in the second of three straight games between the two clubs.

After a 2-0 loss to the Icemen at home on Wednesday night, the Gladiators looked for revenge in enemy territory in the rematch on Friday night. Ethan Haider started in net for Atlanta while Topias Leinonen started for Jacksonville.

The Gladiators came out with some great chances to begin the game but could not get the puck to bounce in their favor. Ryley Appelt fought Jaden Condotta 7:31 into the game, igniting some passion into the Gladiators’ game. The Gladiators had a chance on the power play 9:53 into the period but did not convert. With 7:04 left in the first period the Icemen broke the scoreless tie, with Adam McMaster scoring in transition from Jaques Bouquot and Holden Wale to make it a 1-0 Jacksonville lead.

After a scoreless second period, the Icemen broke free in the third period, extending their lead with a power play goal from McMaster. His snipe from the left circle beat Haider to make it 2-0 with 11:50 to play from Jed Pietila and David Jankowski. Almost a minute later, Jacksonville extended its lead to 3-0 after a pass angled perfectly off the end wall found Craig Martin backdoor with 9:08 to play. Martin’s goal was assisted by Jaden Condotta and Tyler Kopff. Trying to claw their way back, the Gladiators managed to rifle in a power play goal from Ryan Conroy with 8:07 to go in regulation. Conroy’s bid from the blue line hit the twine and made it a 3-1 game. Despite their best efforts, it was too little too late. Jacksonville buried an empty netter from Will Hillman with 30 seconds on the clock to seal the final score at 4-1.

Haider stopped 23/26 in the loss, while Leinonen stopped 22/23 for Jacksonville. The Gladiators went 1/3 on the power play and 2/3 on the penalty kill, and were outshot 27-23.

With Atlanta Gladiators match report

Contact the photographer: Trina.Kirk@prohockynews.com

PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Wichita Homecoming Spoiled in Loss to Kansas City

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WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita returned home on Friday night for the first time in over a month, falling to Kansas City, 5-2, at INTRUST Bank Arena in front of a lower bowl sell out of 6,001.

Jay Dickman led the way for the Thunder with a goal and an assist. Roddy Ross suffered the loss in a relief effort, stopping 15 shots.

Dickman opened the scoring near the midway point of the first. Wichita won a battle behind the Kansas City net. Kirby Proctor fired a shot from the high slot and Dickman redirected it past Logan Terness.

Jack Randl tied it at 17:09. He walked around a Thunder blueliner and beat Matt Davis for his 21st of the season.

At the start of the second, Davis didn’t return to the Thunder crease and Ross came into the game.

Bates connected at 1:38 of the second on a pretty passing play to make it 2-1. Dickman was denied on a breakaway but fed a pass from the right circle to Bates. He slipped a backhand through Terness for his 17th of the year.

Lucas Sowder tied the contest at 10:23 when he blew by two players at the Wichita line and beat Ross for his ninth of the season.

At 15:02, Bobo Carpenter picked the pocket of a Thunder defender at the red line, skated down on a breakaway and beat Ross to make it 3-2.

Kansas City tacked on a late power play goal after Michal Stinil was called for a high stick. Justin Janicke salted the game away at 19:10 after he was left all alone in front of the net and made it 4-2.

Hudson Wilson added an empty netter at 19:51 to close the scoring.

Dickman reached the 20-goal mark for the fifth-straight season. Bates has points in four straight and netted his first goal since February 18. Stinil appeared in his 300th ECHL game.

Wichita went 0-for-2 on the power play. Kansas City was 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

The two teams play once again at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at INTRUST Bank Arena.

With Wichita Thunder Match Report

Contact the Photographer: Les.Stockton@prohockeynews.com

Kansas City Mavericks forward Lucas Sowder (86)

Kansas City Mavericks goalie Luke Pavicich (30)

Wichita Thunder goalie Roddy Ross (31)

Wichita Thunder goalie Matt Davis (33)

Wichita Thunder goalie Matt Davis (33)

Wichita Thunder goalie Matt Davis (33)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Robert Kincaid (14)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Kirby Proctor (3)

Wichita Thunder forward Spencer Blackwell (8), Kansas City Mavericks forward Casey Carreau (22)

Kansas City Mavericks forward Casey Carreau (22)

Kansas City Mavericks forward Casey Carreau (22)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Tyler Jette (81), Kansas City Mavericks forward Casey Carreau (22)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Peter Bates (12)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Tanner Palocsik (49)

Wichita Thunder goalie Matt Davis (33), Kansas City Mavericks forward Nolan Sullivan (19), Wichita Thunder defenseman TJ Lloyd (6)

Kansas City Mavericks defenseman Drake Burgin (16), Wichita Thunder defenseman Tyler Jette (81)

Wichita Thunder forward Cameron Mitchell (19), Kansas City Mavericks forward Colby MacArthur (23)

Kansas City Mavericks forward Jackson Berezowski (17), Wichita Thunder defenseman Robert Kincaid (14)

Wichita Thunder defenseman TJ Lloyd (6)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Tanner Palocsik (49)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Tyler Jette (81)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Robert Kincaid (14)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Nolan Kneen (27)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Nolan Kneen (27)

Kansas City Mavericks forward Lucas Sowder (86)

Wichita Thunder defenseman TJ Lloyd (6), Kansas City Mavericks forward Jack Randl (82)

Wichita Thunder defenseman Nolan Kneen (27)

Kansas City Mavericks defenseman Hudson Wilson (18)

Wichita Thunder forward Gavin Best (10), Kansas City Mavericks forward Justin Janicke (28)

Wichita Thunder forward Jay Dickman (21)

Wichita Thunder forward Oliver Tarr (23)

Wichita Thunder forward Jay Dickman (21)

Fuel shut out Grizzlies

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FISHERS- The Indy Fuel hosted the Utah Grizzlies for the second night in a row. Despite their first goal being overturned, the Fuel put out another four goal statement win against the Grizzlies, shutting them out 4-0.FUEL SHUT OUT GRIZZLIES ON SATURDAY NIGHT

1ST PERIOD

Just a few minutes into the game, it appeared Eric Martin scored for Indy but after a goal review, it was overturned due to goaltender interference.

It was Martin who took the game’s first penalty at 11:31. He was sent to the box for slashing.

At 16:03, Fuel captain Chris Cameron scored with the help of Jesse Tucker and Alex DiPaolo. This gave Indy the 1-0 lead.

Utah’s Josh Zinger took a roughing penalty at 17:36, but the Grizzlies killed it off.

After one period, the Fuel were outshooting Utah, 9-8.

2ND PERIOD

DiPaolo earned his second point of the night with a goal to open the second period. Cody Laskosky and Matt Petgrave claimed the assists on the goal that gave Indy a 2-0 lead.

Tucker took a slashing penalty at 11:00 to put the Fuel on the penalty kill, and they were successful in killing it off.

Indy’s Tyler Weiss took a tripping penalty at 19:57 which would carry over into the third period as time expired soon after.

Through two, Utah was outshooting Indy, 14-13 despite being down 2-0.

3RD PERIOD

After the Weiss penalty was killed off, it was Weiss again who went to the penalty box. This time, at 3:24, he was penalized for holding. Again, it was successfully killed off.

Michael Marchesan scored at 14:39 to make it 3-0 in favor of the Fuel, with the help of Dustin Manz and Christian Berger.

About two minutes later, Jordan Martin added another to make it 4-0. Fuel newcomers Weiss and Jay Ahearn claimed the assists.

Time expired soon after and Indy claimed the 4-0 victory. Mitchell Weeks claimed his sixth shutout with the Indy Fuel, a franchise record he already held.

These two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon to close out the series.