After playing four games on the road, the Jacksonville Icemen (12-23-3-2, 29 pts) kick off a seven-game homestand tonight at Veterans Memorial Arena against the South Carolina Stingrays (24-9-4-1, 53 pts). This is the fifth meeting between these two teams in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union. The Stingrays hold the series lead, 3-1.
Despite a rough end to a three-game weekend in the Northeast, the Icemen return to Jacksonville with four points. It wouldn't have been possible without a boost offensively, provided up and down the lineup. Bobby MacIntyre led the way, scoring four goals and becoming the first player in franchise history to record back-to-back multi-goal games.
This upcoming stretch of home games is vital for the team's playoff hunt. However, it will be a challenge, as the Icemen host one of the hottest teams in the ECHL. The Stingrays have won six of their past nine games and have averaged 3.11 goals per game in that stretch. An even tougher challenge is beating this team when they're on the road, as South Carolina has an impressive 12-5-1-1 record away from home this season.
Special teams have an opportunity to play a major factor in Wednesday's matchup. Both teams have struggled this season on the power play, but the Stingrays have been dominant on the penalty kill. Jacksonville scored three power-play goals this weekend, but South Carolina has only allowed 15 goals on the man advantage this season.
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.
It's not too late to get your tickets for tonight's Wine and Dine Wednesday matchup at 7:30 p.m. Click here to secure your seat today!
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 12-23-3-2 (7th in South division)
South Carolina Stingrays: 24-9-4-1 (2nd in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 17/162 – 10.5% (27th in ECHL)
Stingrays: 22/143 – 15.4% (21st in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 145/178 – 81.5% (17th in ECHL)
Stingrays: 140/155 – 90.3% (1st in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#10 D Dajon Mingo (JAX)
2G, 13A – 15 Pts, -1 Rating
Mingo has two goals in the past four games, including one against South Carolina on 1/14.
#10 F Steven Whitney (SC)
13G, 14A – 17 Pts, +4 Rating
Whitney has four points in four games against the Icemen this season, including two goals.
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