Icemen Begin Busy Weekend in Worcester

The Jacksonville Icemen (10-22-3-2, 25 pts) resume the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, against the Worcester Railers (15-16-3-2, 35 pts) tonight at 7:05 p.m.

After enjoying four days off for the All-Star break, the Icemen are looking to get back on track against the Railers. Jacksonville has dropped its last three after a hectic three-game stretch against two of the top teams in the South division last weekend. Tonight's game marks the first matchup between these two clubs in franchise history.

Similarly to the Icemen, the Railers have had an up-and-down season so far. They currently sit fifth in the North division and have lost three of their last four games. Scoring has been a concern for Worcester in the club's first half of the season, as the Railers are 26th in the league with an average of only 2.50 goals per game. However, the Railers have made up for it defensively and are ranked in the top-10 in goals allowed with an average of 2.94 per game.

Forward Barry Almeida might be the Railers' biggest threat offensively. The 29-year-old has 10 goals and 15 assists in only 34 games this season. In net, Worcester has had a steady goalie tandem of Eamon McAdam and Mitch Gallam this season. Gallam has started the last two games, picking up a win and most recently a loss.

Garet Hunt will be playing in his 600th career ECHL game tonight. The milestone puts the captain eighth overall in ECHL history in games played.

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 live from Worcester, Massachusetts at 7:05 p.m. on ECHL TV.

Matchup Breakdown

Records:

Jacksonville Icemen: 10-22-3-2 (7th in South division)

Worcester Railers: 15-16-3-2 (5th in South division)

Power Play:

Icemen: 14/151 – 9.3% (27th in ECHL)

Railers: 12/120 – 10.0% (26th in ECHL)

Penalty Kill:

Icemen: 132/161 – 82.0% (18th in ECHL)

Railers: 110/135 – 81.5% (21st  in ECHL)

Players to Watch:

#23 F Josh Erickson (JAX)

4G, 2A – 6 Pts, -5 Rating

Erickson has a two-game point streak heading into tonight’s matchup.

#19 F Barry Almeida (WOR)

10G, 15A – 25 Pts, +2 Rating

Almeida has a three-game point streak, including two goals and two assists.