PREVIEW | Icemen Host Division-Leading Everblades

After making a statement with a 5-2 thrashing of the South Carolina Stingrays on Tuesday, the Icemen (2-6-1-0, 5 pts) continue the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union as they take on the red hot Florida Everblades (10-2-0-1, 21 pts) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, the Icemen faced a defensive-minded team in the Stingrays, who had previously held Jacksonville to three goals in two games. Jacksonville was able to break through and posted five goals for the third time this season. In its toughest challenge yet, Jacksonville will have to stay out of the box against the punishing Blades power play. The Icemen are averaging 5.5 penalties per game, and Florida has the third best man advantage percentage in the league with a 25.9% success rate.

The Everblades have picked up where they left off last season after dominating the Eastern Conference with 97 points in the 2016-17 campaign. One thing that stands out about this Blades team is that they're actually better on the road than at home so far. In five away games, the Estero, Florida-based club is a perfect 5-0-0-0. The key to their success away from home? A combination of strong defense with a relentless attack. The Blades rank second in the entire ECHL in goals allowed with an average of 2.38 in 13 games this season. However, they can also light up the scoreboard. On the road, the Blades have yet to be held under four goals, averaging 4.2 goals per game.

It will be vital that Jacksonville grabs momentum in the opening period, as that is statistically Florida's weakest period. In the first frame, the Blades have only scored 11 times while allowing 13 goals. While the Blades' goal differential gets better as the game goes on, the Icemen have had a hard time finding goals late in the contest.

Don't miss out on a Friday night rivalry game at Veterans Memorial Arena tonight at 7:30 p.m. when the Icemen host the Everblades for the first of 12 meetings this season. Get your tickets now!

Matchup Breakdown

Records:

Jacksonville Icemen: 2-6-1-0 (7th in South division)

Florida Everblades: 10-2-0-1 (1st in South division)

Power Play:

Icemen: 3/41 – 7.3% (27th in ECHL)

Everblades: 12/59 – 20.3% (6th in ECHL)

Penalty Kill:

Icemen: 44/50 – 88.0% (8th in ECHL)

Everblades: 58/69 – 84.1% (12th in ECHL)

Players to Watch:

#13 F Emerson Clark (JAX)

4G, 8A – 12 Pts, +2 Rating

Emerson Clark can break the franchise record for consecutive games with at least one point with a goal or assist against Florida. The forward is currently on a 7-game point streak, including a three point game (2G, 1A) vs South Carolina Tuesday

#15 F Mitchell Heard (FLA)

5G, 12A – 17 Pts, +8 Rating

Heard leads the Everblades in points with 17. The 25-year-old has been dangerous on the power play this season with three goals.