The Icemen earned one point in another hard-fought game against the Florida Everblades on Saturday night. The 'Blades ultimately took the game in the fourth round of the shootout to take the extra point.
The 'Blades struck first tonight when Quentin Shores got one past goalie Austin Lotz, initiating the launch of thousands of stuffed animals from the stands as part of Florida's annual Teddy Bear Toss event. Despite the brief frenzy, the Icemen continued to dominate the first period, outshooting the 'Blades 10-5. Jacksonville would be rewarded late in the period when defenseman Christopher Dienes fired a wrist shot from the blue line through a crowd of players to tie the game. The goal is Dienes' third of the season.
Jacksonville would carry the momentum over into the second period, as Everett Clark found Elgin Pearce alone in the slot with a no-look backhand pass for the Icemen goal. Pearce's goal is his sixth of the season and gave the Icemen the 2-1 lead. The lead wouldn't last long as Justin Kea scored for the second straight night as he put home a rebound from Tyler Ganly's shot. Both teams would finish the second period with two goals.
Early in the third period, Austin Lotz made his third big save of the game when he denied a breakaway chance for Florida. Jacksonville would outshoot the 'Blades 11-10, but both teams would need overtime after a competitive third period. In overtime, both teams struggled to find quality scoring chances. After the additional five minutes, the score remained the same, and the Icemen would head to their second shootout this season.
In the fourth round, Stephen MacAulay beat Austin Lotz for the only goal in the shootout and the win.
The Icemen return home on Wednesday, Dec. 13 to face the Manchester Monarchs at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets here!
*Photo: Kevin Bires*
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