The Jacksonville Icemen (9-15-3-2, 23 pts) skate into 2018 at full speed with a game against the Atlanta Gladiators (14-17-1-1, 30 pts) tonight at 7:30 p.m. from Veterans Memorial Arena.
The last time the Icemen were home, they defeated the Gladiators, 4-3. That was also the start of the team's best streak of five games in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union. Jacksonville now has won back-to-back games twice, but the club will have an opportunity tonight to establish its first-ever home winning streak.
Atlanta is still trying to find its footing after a rocky end to 2017. The Gladiators finally snapped a seven-game slide after losing to the Icemen on Dec. 21, but have yet to put together back-to-back wins since. Defense and goaltending have continued to be an issue for the Gladiators as they have allowed an average of 3.73 goals per game the last 11 games, a stretch the team has gone 2-9-0 during.
It's January, and these games start to become more meaningful. Atlanta sits just one point out of a playoff position, and Jacksonville is only eight points out with four games in hand on Orlando. The Gladiators won the first four meetings, but the Icemen bounced back in the last meeting. Tonight, the Icemen can defeat the Gladiators for the second straight time, and establish their best winning streak of the season.
It's not too late to get your tickets for tonight's Wine and Dine Wednesday matchup. Click here to secure yours now!
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 9-15-3-2 (7th in South division)
Atlanta Gladiators: 14-17-1-1 (5th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 10/110 – 9.1% (27th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 21/138 – 15.2% (20th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 105/131 – 80.2% (23rd  in ECHL)
Gladiators: 113/139 – 81.3% (19th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#14 F Jimmy Lodge (JAX)
9G, 17A – 26 Pts, +16 Rating
Lodge leads the team in +/- rating with a +16 and assists with 17. In his last game against Atlanta, Lodge tallied two points (1G, 1A).
#10 F Lindsay Sparks (ATL)
3G, 24A – 27 Pts, +5 Rating
Sparks has been explosive this season setting up his teammates. In five games against the Icemen, Sparks has one goal and three assists.
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