Last night, the Jacksonville Icemen (15-23-3-2, 35 pts) earned their first-ever three-game winning streak with a 3-1 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-22-3-1, 40 pts). Now, they have an opportunity to keep the momentum rolling in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, and close the gap in the standings this afternoon.
This matchup has turned into a tale of two teams heading in the complete opposite directions. The Icemen have won five of their past six and are inching back into the playoff hunt. The Swamp Rabbits have lost seven straight, including 10 of their last 11 games. Currently, Greenville is only five points ahead of Jacksonville in the South Division.
An already confident Icemen group got even more optimism as forwards Elgin Pearce and Jimmy Lodge were reassigned back to Jacksonville yesterday. Those two have combined for 24 goals, 34 assists and 68 points this season. This team seems to be firing on all cylinders right now, and they pose a real threat in the South Division if they can continue this streak of excellent hockey.
This winning streak would not have been possible without phenomenal goaltending. Austin Lotz has played his best hockey in his professional career this past week. In three games, Lotz has posted a shutout and has only allowed two goals.
Faith & Family Weekend comes to a close this afternoon as the red hot Icemen take on the Swamp Rabbits for the final time at home this season at 3:00 p.m. Click here to get your tickets!
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 15-23-3-2 (7th in South division)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 18-22-3-1 (5th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 19/176 – 10.8% (27th in ECHL)
Swamp Rabbits: 36/190 – 18.9% (8th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 157/191 – 82.2% (16th in ECHL)
Swamp Rabbits: 147/194 – 75.8% (27th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#14 F Jimmy Lodge (JAX)
10G, 18A – 28 Pts, +15 Rating
Lodge leads the Icemen in assists and +/- rating this season. He’s bound to get back in the goal column soon.
#29 F Caleb Herbert (GRN)
18G, 24A – 42 Pts, +8 Rating
Herbert leads the Swamp Rabbits in points this season. He’s returning following a one-game suspension.
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