Icemen Defeat North Division Leader Monarchs

The Jacksonville Icemen struck early and often Wednesday night to take down the top team in the North Division, Manchester Monarchs, by a score of 6-5. Tonight's win is the first time the Icemen have beaten a division leader in the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union.

ECHL 2017 Manchester vs Jacksonville: Jacksonville Icemen forward Garet Hunt and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey exchange jerseys on the ice just before the Icemen host the Manchester Monarchs in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

The action started early after Jalen Ramsey of the Jacksonville Jaguars dropped the puck in the ceremonial puck drop, as Spencer Watson scored on the first shot of the game and the Monarchs took the early 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, the Icemen would score on the third-best penalty killing unit in the league when Alexandre Goulet fired a one-timer from the right circle. Only 34 seconds later, Cameron Critchlow put home the rebound to give Jacksonville the lead. The Icemen weren't done lighting the lamp after two goals. Tanner Eberle and Christopher Dienes each scored, forcing a goalie change for Manchester.

ECHL 2017 Manchester vs Jacksonville: Jacksonville Icemen forward Garet Hunt and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey exchange jerseys on the ice just before the Icemen host the Manchester Monarchs in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

Early in the second period, Cristiano DiGiacinto took advantage of an awkward bounce behind the Monarchs' net and scored on a diving Branden Komm to give Jacksonville the 5-1 lead. Manchester would respond as Matt Leitner pulled the Monarchs within three at 6:09 into the frame. Both teams skated off the ice after 40 minutes with the Icemen up 5-2.

ECHL 2017 Manchester vs Jacksonville: Jacksonville Icemen forward Garet Hunt and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey exchange jerseys on the ice just before the Icemen host the Manchester Monarchs in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

Jacksonville wasted little time in the third period as Jimmy Lodge beat a confused Komm to give the Icemen a commanding 6-2 lead. However, the second-best team in the Eastern Conference would not go away quietly. Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman started the rally at 2:35 into the third period to make it a 6-3 game. Over a minute later, Zac Lynch received a perfect pass in the crease to beat a helpless Lotz to make it a two-goal game. Then, 24 seconds later, Joel Lowry buried his shot from the left circle to make it a 6-5 contest.

ECHL 2017 Manchester vs Jacksonville: Jacksonville Icemen forward Garet Hunt and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey exchange jerseys on the ice just before the Icemen host the Manchester Monarchs in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

The Icemen would hold on and take the 6-5 victory. The win marks Austin Lotz first win as an Icemen goalie and is the third time the Icemen have scored six goals in one game this season.

Don't miss out on Star Wars and Teddy Bear Toss Night presented by Community First Credit Union as the Icemen take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears and stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice after the first Icemen goal! Click here to get your tickets today!

ECHL 2017 Manchester vs Jacksonville: Jacksonville Icemen forward Garet Hunt and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey exchange jerseys on the ice just before the Icemen host the Manchester Monarchs in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)