For the last time in 2017, the Jacksonville Icemen (5-15-2-2, 14 pts) host the Atlanta Gladiators (12-14-1-1, 26 pts) at Veterans Memorial Season tonight at 7:30 p.m. This is the fifth matchup between these two South Division rivals in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union.
Jacksonville comes into this game after a tough loss in another competitive game against the Florida Everblades. Despite the loss, it was good to see this young team able to create a rally late in the game and compete against one of the best teams in the league. That's not easy to do, especially with the amount of roster changes over the past week.
The Gladiators are looking to end their longest losing streak of the season. Atlanta enters tonight's matchup losers of six straight in the ECHL, including four on the road. In four of their last six, the Gladiators have only managed to post one goal per game and have allowed an average of 4.17 goals in their last six. Both teams have struggled in the third period this season. The Gladiators have a -10 goal differential and the Icemen have a -11 goal differential in the final frame.
In the previous four meetings, the Gladiators have limited the Icemen to two or less goals three times. In all five of Jacksonville's wins this season, the Icemen have scored at least four goals. In goal, the projected Icemen starter is Austin Lotz, who will be making his sixth start of the season. For the Gladiators, Sean Bonar is expected to get the nod.
It's not too late to get your tickets for tonight's game. The first 3,000 fans inside Veterans Memorial Arena receive an Icemen magnet!
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 5-15-2-2 (7th in South division)
Atlanta Gladiators: 12-14-1-1 (4th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 7/90 – 7.8% (27th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 19/117 – 16.2% (17th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 88/108 – 81.5% (20th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 97/119 – 81.5% (19th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#11 F Cameron Critchlow (JAX)
4G, 7A – 11 Pts, +7 Rating
Critchlow is playing some of the best hockey of his season as of late. He currently has a three-game point streak which includes one goal and four assists.
#74 D Zach Malatesta (ATL)
1G, 8A – 9 Pts, -6 Rating
Malatesta has been having a productive season on the blue line for the Gladiators. He also scored the game-winner against the Icemen on Dec. 6.
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