Icemen Return Home to Face Monarchs

After a three-game road trip against two divisional foes, the Jacksonville Icemen (4-13-2-2, 12 pts) return to Veterans Memorial Arena to continue the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union against the North Division leader, Manchester Monarchs (15-7-1-1, 32 pts) tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Despite being in two different divisions, these two teams do have a history. On Nov. 10, the Icemen traveled to Manchester, New Hampshire, to take on the Monarchs. In a defensive game highlighted by Jamie Phillips stopping 38 of 40 shots, the Monarchs took a 2-1 victory at home.

Since then, Manchester has been a tough club to beat in the ECHL. The Monarchs enter tonight's contest with a seven-game winning streak, including four consecutive wins on the road. A major reason behind Manchester's excellent play is their goaltending. Charles Williams has recorded 10 wins in 14 appearances this season, posting a phenomenal GAA of 1.98% and a .936 SV%.

The Icemen are used to facing stiff competition, especially after two games last week against the league-leading Florida Everblades. Jacksonville proved to be a handful for the 'Blades, and the club has caused the Monarchs headaches once before. If the Icemen want to snap their five-game winless streak, they'll need to bring pressure early and put as many shots on net as possible. The Monarchs are a striking 10-2-1-1 when scoring first this season.

Special teams will likely factor into the outcome, as the Monarchs have the second-best road power play in the league at 24.7%. They're also solid down a man, posting the third-best penalty kill overall this season at 88.5%. However, the Icemen have proved to have a quality penalty kill, scoring four shorthanded goals this season. Jacksonville will need to stay out of the box and capitalize on their power play opportunities in order to pick up their fifth win of the season.

Jacksonville has added depth on the blue line with the acquisition of defenseman Travis Jeke today. He will be making his debut for Jacksonville tonight against the Monarchs.

There's still time to purchase your tickets for tonight's Wine and Dine Wednesday game! Click here to see the Icemen battle the Monarchs at Veterans Memorial Arena tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Matchup Breakdown

Records:

Jacksonville Icemen: 4-13-2-2 (7th in South division)

Manchester Monarchs: 15-7-1-1 (1st in North division)

Power Play:

Icemen: 6/81 – 7.4% (27th in ECHL)

Monarchs: 22/121 – 18.2% (12th in ECHL)

Penalty Kill:

Icemen: 78/94 – 83.0% (16th in ECHL)

Monarchs: 100/113 – 86.5% (3rd in ECHL)

Players to Watch:

#16 F Elgin Pearce (JAX)

6G, 12A – 18 Pts, 0 Rating

Pearce enters tonight’s game with a 2-game goal streak and a 3-game point streak at Veterans Memorial Arena.

#28 F Joel Lowry (MAN)

10G, 13A – 23 Pts, +3 Rating

Lowry leads the Monarchs in points and has 3 points (2G, 1A) in his last two road games.