Everett Clark led the Icemen tonight with two goals, but Jacksonville came up short against the Florida Everblades, 4-2.
If it wasn't clear these two teams didn't like each other before tonight, it quickly became evident in the first period. Garet Hunt and Tyler Ganly dropped the mitts, quickly followed by a spar between Tanner Eberle and Clark Seymour. The 'Blades would go on the man advantage following a cross-checking call to Eberle, but the Icemen wouldn't be discouraged. Alexandre Goulet brought the puck up the ice and his shot rebounded right to Everett Clark, who scored his second shorthanded goal this season.
In the second period, the 'Blades proved why they're currently the number one team in the league. At 3:24 into the frame, Clark Seymour got one past goalie Austin Lotz to tie the game at one. Over six minutes later, Justin Kea would strike for Florida, giving the home team their first lead of the game. Before the horn sounded on the second period, Stephen MacAulay tallied to give the 'Blades a 3-1 lead heading into the locker room.
Once again, the Icemen would not go down quietly. Everett Clark continued his impressive game with his second goal of the evening with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period. It would get interesting in the final minutes as the 'Blades took a penalty with 1:43 left in regulation for delay of game. Jacksonville would get several quality looks with their net empty, but Florida put the game away with an empty net goal with 15 seconds left to play.
These two teams will meet once again on Saturday night as the puck drops at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch all the action live on ECHL TV.
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