The Jacksonville Icemen (5-14-2-2) begin a busy stretch of three consecutive games in as many nights as they take on the conference-leading Florida Everblades (19-4-1-2) tonight at 7:30 p.m. This is the fifth overall meeting and fourth at Germain Arena in the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union.
The last time these two division rivals squared off, a shootout was needed to settle the tilt. Goalie Austin Lotz was impressive, stopping 23 shots and three shootout attempts in a 3-2 loss. As the Icemen proved last week with a win over the Manchester Monarchs, they can compete with and defeat the top teams in the league.
For the Icemen to take down the 'Blades tonight, they're going to need to play their best game of the season. That starts with scoring first, as the 'Blades are an astonishing 12-0-1-1 when striking first. Jacksonville will also have to shut down Florida's leading scorer, Michael Kirkpatrick, who has 12 goals, 17 assists and a +12 rating this season. Additionally, Kirkpatrick picked up the game-winning goal against the Icemen on Nov. 17 in a 6-3 win at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Both teams haven't played since Saturday when each lost to a divisional opponent. In net, the projected starter for the Icemen is Colton Phinney, who last played on Saturday against the Swamp Rabbits. For the home team, Callum Booth is expected to get the nod. He stopped 18 shots and gave up two goals in his last outing against the Icemen on Dec. 9.
Defenseman Tim Daly is expected to make his debut with the Icemen tonight. Additionally, forward Bobby MacIntyre is returning from the AHL and newly acquired forward Eli Lichtenwald will be in the lineup. Forwards Alexandre Goulet and Ryan Graham have left the team to pursue educational opportunities.
Fans can catch all the action tonight on ECHL TV as the Icemen and 'Blades battle at 7:30 p.m.
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 5-14-2-2 (7th in South division)
Florida Everblades: 19-4-1-2 (1st in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 7/87 – 8.0% (27th in ECHL)
Everblades: 19/101 – 18.8% (8th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 85/104 – 81.7% (18th in ECHL)
Everblades: 105/120 – 87.5% (4th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#14 F Jimmy Lodge (JAX)
6G, 11A – 17 Pts, +8 Rating
Lodge is second in the team in goals and points and has two game-winning goals this season, most recently against the Manchester Monarchs on Dec. 13.
#81 F Stephen MacAulay (FLA)
12G, 13A – 25 Pts, +12 Rating
MacAulay is second on the team in goals and points and scored the lone shootout goal against the Icemen on Dec. 9 in a 3-2 win for the ‘Blades.
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