Icemen Begin Back-to-Back Series Against 'Blades in Estero

For the sixth time in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, the Jacksonville Icemen (10-19-3-2, 25 pts) are taking on the Florida Everblades (25-6-1-2, 53 pts) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Jacksonville is looking for its first win in franchise history against the conference-leading 'Blades.

On Wednesday night, the Icemen snapped a four-game losing streak with a four-goal outing against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. In one of the most disciplined games of the season, the Icemen only had four penalty minutes and shut the Swamp Rabbits down in the second and third period. Wednesday's win was also the first time the Icemen had won at home when tied after two periods.

A win tonight will be no easy feat, as the Everblades have dominated the ECHL, only losing six times in regulation. Despite being 0-4-1 against the 'Blades, the Icemen have only lost once by more than two goals in the previous five meetings.

Florida is riding a hot streak into tonight's game, posting a 6-2-0 record in the past eight games. In those eight games, the 'Blades have averaged 4.0 goals per game and have limited opponents to just two goals or less four times.

Both 'Blades goaltenders have wins against the Icemen this season. Callum Booth has three wins against Jacksonville, allowing seven goals on 62 shots faced. Martin Oullette has only allowed three goals on 57 shots faced in two winning appearances against the Icemen. For Jacksonville, Jamie Phillips and Austin Lotz have faced the 'Blades twice earlier in the season, and Colton Phinney appeared in one game on Dec. 20.

Do you have your tickets for Faith and Family Weekend yet? Join the Icemen from Jan. 26-28 and don't miss out on a live performance by Colton Dixon immediately after the Jan. 26 game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Help us defeat cancer as we host Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend on Feb. 1-3. Find out more about this special weekend by visiting here.

Catch all the action between the Icemen and the Everblades on ECHL TV tonight as the puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

Matchup Breakdown

Records:

Jacksonville Icemen: 10-19-3-2 (7th in South division)

Florida Everblades: 25-6-1-2 (1st in South division)

Power Play:

Icemen: 12/138 – 8.7% (27th in ECHL)

Everblades: 26/136 – 19.1% (8th in ECHL)

Penalty Kill:

Icemen: 123/150 – 82.0% (18th in ECHL)

Everblades: 135/155 – 87.1% (3rd in ECHL)

Players to Watch:

#17 F Everett Clark (JAX)

6G, 7A – 13 Pts, -26 Rating

In five games against the ‘Blades, Clark has two goals and one assist, including a shorthanded goal on Dec. 8.

#19 F Justin Kea  (FLA)

7G, 8A – 15 Pts, +9 Rating

Kea has registered five points (4g-1a) and a +6 rating in five games against the Icemen this season.