If you’re looking to get your ice hockey fix, then some Junior Ice Hockey games are just around the corner. Played with great vigor and teams showing the same level of professionalism as the Major League clubs, these matches often leave the fans at the edge of their seats. Indiana Ice that has been representing the Eastern Division of USHL since 2004 will be playing a number of games this season. The Ice will meet U17 USA Hockey team soon in Indianapolis and the supporters of both the sides have already purchased their Indiana Ice tickets. A series of matches have been scheduled for the following months in which the Ice will be battling it out with Youngstown Phantoms, Tri City Storm and Chicago Steel among others.
Indiana Ice
Indiana Ice started playing in the United States Hockey League in 2004 and since then has been representing the Eastern Division. Owned by Paul Skjodt, the team has established itself as a tough side and always gives the opposition a difficult time no matter what the outcome. Skjodt’s passion for hockey encouraged him to form the team as previously he had played professionally for the International Hockey League, Indianapolis Checkers. He also has ten years of coaching experience with the Indianapolis team.
Currently the team includes some talented players such as Scott Conway, Dywer Tschantz and Denis Smirnov. Although the season has just started, they have already led Indiana Ice to several impressive wins. Goaltender Hayden Stewart wore Indiana Ice uniform for the very first time this season, making quite a remarkable debut. The team has been showcasing a strict defense limiting the opposition’s scoring. Another thing working out well for the Ice this season is that it has been capitalizing on the scoring chances, making the best of the opportunities.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse & Pan Am Plaza
Opening in 1999, Bankers Life Fieldhouse has been the home arena of Indiana Ice since 2012. Owned by the city of Indianapolis’s Capital Improvement Board, the venue has won numerous awards since its formation. For three consecutive years, Bankers Life Fieldhouse was named as the number one venue in NBA. It has been praised as a top notch facility, with latest standard features and amenities. Over 12,000 people can be accommodated for ice hockey games and most of the times the arena is filled to its capacity. Basketball games can seat more than 18,000 fans and when the resident team Indiana Pacers is playing, a sold out attendance is witnessed. Bankers Life Fieldhouse has come to be known as a multipurpose venue as it also hosts concerts, for which it has the ability to welcome around 19,000 people.
Ice hockey rink and skating arena, Pan Am Plaza also serves as the home venue of Indiana Ice. Since it has less capacity, relatively fewer games are held here.
Upcoming Matches
With 2014 schedule out, Indiana Ice will be playing many home games in the next few months. On the 30th of January they will be facing the USA U17 team at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Every year the U17 team plays an intense schedule where it not only competes in USHL games but also in international matches. This time it will clash against the Ice in what’s expected to be a thrilling encounter.
Junior A team, Youngstown Phantoms will also be playing against Indiana Ice and the match is set to take place on 8th February. Another exciting game will pit the Ice against Tri City Storm which represents the Western Division. Chicago Steel and USA U18 team will also meeting the Ice on the rick. Indian Ice tickets for all these matches are in great demand and selling like hot cakes.