The Jacksonville Icemen (3-11-1-0, 7 pts) host the Orlando Solar Bears (6-8-3-0, 15 pts) for the second time in the last six days tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Icemen look to snap a two-game losing streak as the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union returns to Veterans Memorial Arena.
Last Wednesday, nine different skaters collected at least on point for Jacksonville and three players had multi-point games. Most noticeably, forward Jimmy Lodge took over, scoring two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime to collect the Icemen's first win against Orlando in franchise history.
Orlando has rebounded following last week's loss in Jacksonville. Over the weekend, the Solar Bears won back-to-back games against the South Carolina Stingrays at Amway Center by a score of 3-2. This is the first of a long 10-game road trip for the Bears, ending on Dec. 16 against the Norfolk Admirals.
The Icemen will look to replicate the quick start they had on Wednesday, scoring two goals in the first before adding one in the second to hold a 3-0 lead. As the Solar Bears showed, there's no counting Orlando out. Jacksonville nearly lost after the Solar Bears scored three consecutive goals to force overtime.
Goalie Colton Phinney will likely get the nod in net as Phillips was recalled yesterday to the Manitoba Moose. Phinney picked up the victory against Orlando on Wednesday, making 31 saves on 28 shots. For Orlando, Cal Heeter will probably face Jacksonville for the third time this season, most recently on Nov. 21 when the Solar Bears defeated the Icemen, 4-1.
Tuesday marks the beginning of a three-game homestand at Veterans Memorial Arena this week. Fans can get tickets for tonight's rivalry matchup by clicking here.
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 3-11-1-0 (7th in South division)
Orlando Solar Bears: 6-8-3-0 (5th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 3/59 – 5.1% (27th in ECHL)
Solar Bears: 14/92 – 85.2% (15th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 62/73 – 84.9% (7th in ECHL)
Solar Bears: 71/84 – 84.5% (10th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#14 F Jimmy Lodge (JAX)
4G, 7A – 11 Pts, +4 Rating
Currently, there’s no player on the roster that has as much momentum as Jimmy Lodge does right now. Despite having his goal streak ending Sunday, his point streak extended to three games.
#80 F Joshua Winquist (ORL)
5G, 15A – 20 Pts, -11 Rating
Winquist leads the Solar Bears in points with 20 and assists with 15. He tallied two assists on Wednesday in a 4-3 loss to Jacksonville.
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