The Jacksonville Icemen snapped a four-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 4-2 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Tyson Fawcett scored the game-winning goal and Jame Phillips picked up his third win in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union.
In their previous four games, the Icemen had only scored twice in the first period. They matched that in just 9:32 tonight with goals from Josh Erickson and Tanner Eberle. However, the night didn't start well for Jacksonville, as Joe Basaraba scored from the slot only 19 seconds into the game. Less than five minutes later, the Icemen would answer when Everett Clark cleared the puck off the Icemen goal line and found Erickson alone for a breakaway goal.
Tanner Eberle increased the Icemen lead when he put home a loose puck in front of the net to give the home team the 2-1 lead. Eli Lichtenwald picked up his first career ECHL point with the secondary assist. Shortly after Eberle's go-ahead goal, Carter Sandlak deflected Matt Prapavessis's shot for the goal and both teams ended the first period tied at two goals.
The second period was less eventful, as neither team found the back of the net. The Icemen out-shot the Swamp Rabbits, 13-6, in a penalty-free middle frame.
In the third, it didn't take long for the Icemen to regain the lead as Tyson Fawcett scored 1:37 into the period. Chris Joseph's slap shot from the point produced a juicy rebound and Fawcett would not miss the opportunity. Fawcett now has a goal in two straight games and defenseman Kyle Shapiro collected his first point with the Icemen. Elgin Pearce sealed the game with an empty net goal, his fourth against the Swamp Rabbits this season.
The Icemen hit the road to take on the conference-leading Florida Everblades on Friday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
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