Icemen Host Swamp Rabbits on Teddy Bear Toss Night

Tonight, the Jacksonville Icemen (5-13-2-2, 14 pts) host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (14-10-2-0, 30 pts) for the first time as the Icemen host Teddy Bear Toss Night presented by Community First Credit Union. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to tonight's matchup and throw them onto the ice after the first Icemen goal!

This is only the second meeting overall after the Swamp Rabbits took a 5-4 victory in South Carolina on Nov. 4. Greenville is coming off an 8-4 thrashing by the Manchester Monarchs last night, the same team the Icemen defeated, 6-5, on Wednesday evening. Brandon Halverson was between the pipes for the Swamp Rabbits yesterday, so it's likely that starting goalie Ty Rimmer will get the nod tonight. Rimmer is 9-3-0-0 this season with a 3.67% GAA and a .907 SV%.

Off to the third-best start in the South Division, Greenville seems to be able to play the same type of hockey at home and on the road. In fact, the club is 7-5-1-0 at home and away this season. However, on special teams, it's a tale of two clubs. On the power play, the Swamp Rabbits post the third-best overall with a 20% success rate. On the penalty kill, Greenville is alone at the bottom of the league with 72.9%, giving up 35 goals shorthanded.

Once again on Wednesday night, the Icemen showed they are a first-period team. The club sprang out to a quick 4-1 lead, including a power play goal from Alexandre Goulet. However, third-period leads have not been the safest for Jacksonville. Goalie Austin Lotz was able to pick up his first-ever win with the Icemen in a 6-5 nailbiter. Due to Eric Comrie's injury, goalie Jamie Phillips has been recalled to the Manitoba Moose today.

On the line tonight is a chance for the Icemen to notch their first-ever winning streak in franchise history. Four times now, Jacksonville hasn't been able to secure that second consecutive win, but with a tired Greenville team on the road at Veterans Memorial Arena, now is a great time to break through.

Join the fun in Downtown Jacksonville tonight as the Icemen host their first-ever Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans should also dress up as their favorite Star Wars character in support of Star Wars Night. Additionally, fans will have an opportunity to bid on a game-worn Icemen ugly sweater tonight behind section 106. For tickets, click here!

Matchup Breakdown

Records:

Jacksonville Icemen: 5-13-2-2 (7th in South division)

Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 14-10-2-0 (3rd in South division)

Power Play:

Icemen: 7/84 – 8.3% (27th in ECHL)

Swamp Rabbits: 25/125 – 30.0% (3rd in ECHL)

Penalty Kill:

Icemen: 83/101 – 82.2% (17th in ECHL)

Swamp Rabbits: 94/129 – 72.9% (27th in ECHL)

Players to Watch:

#19 F Cristiano DiGiacinto (JAX)

1G, 2A – 3 Pts, -2 Rating

The forward picked up his first-ever professional goal on Wednesday in a 6-5 win over the Manchester Monarchs.

#29 F Caleb Herbert (GRN)

16G, 19A – 35 Pts, +19 Rating

Herbert leads the Swamp Rabbits in goals, points and +/- rating. He also has one game-winning goal this season.