After a week off, the Icemen battled the South Carolina Stingrays in a defensive showdown. Despite outshooting the Stingrays, the visitors were able to capitalize on special teams to win the game, 3-2.
The action started early at Veterans Memorial Arena as Icemen captain Garet Hunt dropped the gloves with Trevor Gillies just over one minute into the first period. The Icemen spent a lot of time in the box in the first as three players took minor penalties, but the team was able to continue its strong play down a man and kept the score 0-0.
Icemen forward Alexandre Goulet picked up right where he left off from last week, scoring 2:08 into the second to give Jacksonville the 1-0 lead. Head Coach Jason Christie praised Goulet's performance, "I thought Goulet had another strong game. He's a workhorse." However, Stingrays forward Patrick Gaul found Joe Devin wide open on the far post for the tap-in goal a few minutes later to bring the game to a deadlock. Shortly after, Jacksonville was awarded a power play, but South Carolina's superb penalty killing unit struck as Andrew Cherniwchan beat Icemen goalie Jamie Phillips to put the Stingrays up 2-1.
With two minutes remaining in the second period, Icemen forward Bobby Macintyre found the perfect time to score his first-ever ECHL goal, tying the game heading into intermission. In search of the first franchise win, the Icemen came out strong in the third period, earning its third power play of the game. The Stingrays' strong special teams continued and forward Andrew Cherniwchan struck again, putting his club up 3-2. Despite a frantic final push with an extra attacker, the Icemen came up short by one goal again.
After the game, Christie commented on the two shorthanded goals allowed. "It was the difference. I think the biggest thing is the execution on that, making the right plays. Tonight we were off on that."
The Icemen will enjoy another long rest before taking on another division rival, Atlanta Gladiators, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets are going fast, get yours today.
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