A two-goal third period for the Florida Everblades propelled the league leader past the Jacksonville Icemen for the second straight night on Saturday.
Florida wasted little time getting on the board, as the Blades scored 3:31 into the first period. It was a perfect play for the home team as Brett Bulmer passed the puck to Nolan LaPorte from the corner boards who then found a wide open Logan Roe across the crease for the opening goal. Goalie Jamie Phillips, who got the nod in net after playing last night, stood strong as he made nine saves and kept the score 1-0 after the first.
The defensive battle continued into the second period as both teams searched for the momentous next goal. Halfway through the frame, Brendan Collier skated down the right boards and fired a shot that was stopped. The rebound came right out to Ryan Graham who put it home to tie the game at one. The goal marks Graham's first with the Icemen and his first professional goal of his young career. Jacksonville would keep up the pressure all period as the club put up 15 shots on Martin Ouellette, but the goalie kept the game deadlocked at one apiece.
Hungry for their third win of the season, the Icemen entered the third period with a chance to knock off the league-leading Blades. However, Joe Cox put Florida back on top 3:14 into the final frame on a rebound from Quentin Shore's shot. Not long after, Justin Kea would score off a deflection in front of Phillips from Nolan LaPorte's shot on goal. Florida's defense denied any comeback attempt from the Icemen to take the win, 3-1. The loss also marks the end of Emerson Clark's franchise record eight-game point streak.
The Icemen continue the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. as the team heads north to take on another in-state rival, the Orlando Solar Bears.
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