After a disappointing loss to Atlanta on Wednesday night, the Jacksonville Icemen (9-16-3-2, 23 pts) host the Orlando Solar Bears (13-16-4-1, 31 pts) for the first game of a back-to-back stretch tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's game kicks off Military Appreciation Weekend, sponsored by Nimnicht Family of Dealerships, at Veterans Memorial Arena and the Icemen are celebrating by donning patriotic jerseys. Additionally, the first 3,000 fans in attendance receive an Icemen puck, brought to you by Total Air Care.
The Icemen have beaten the Solar Bears the last two times they were in Jacksonville and are looking for their third consecutive home victory against their in-state rival. The keys to those previous two wins? Fast starts. The Icemen have outscored the Solar Bears, 5-0, in the first period in both games. Jacksonville has also done an excellent job of bouncing back from tough losses. In fact, the Icemen haven't lost consecutive games at home since the beginning of December.
Orlando is coming off a tough two games in Estero against the dominant Florida Everblades. In two games, the Solar Bears mustered a mere two goals and allowed 11 to the 'Blades. Orlando is going to need to find some scoring soon, as the Icemen have averaged 3.44 goals per game in their past nine games.
It will take a full 60-minute effort tonight from the Icemen to get back in the win column. The Solar Bears have played their best hockey in the second period, posting only a -4 goal differential in the middle frame. It wouldn't be surprising to see these two teams go to overtime for the fourth time in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union.
It's not too late to get your tickets for Military Appreciation Weekend, sponsored by Nimnicht Family of Dealerships. Click here to secure your seats today!
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 9-16-3-2 (7th in South division)
Orlando Solar Bears: 13-16-4-1 (5th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 11/114 – 9.6% (27th in ECHL)
Solar Bears: 28/172 – 16.3% (17th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 109/135 – 80.7% (22nd in ECHL)
Solar Bears: 135/164 – 82.3% (15th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#8 F Tyson Fawcett (JAX)
6G, 8A – 14 Pts, -7 Rating
Fawcett has four assists in four games against the Solar Bears this season. He needs one more point to reach the century mark in career ECHL points.
#29 F Alex Gudbranson (ORL)
1G, 2A – 3 Pts, +1 Rating
The last time these two teams played, it was Alex Gudbranson who scored the game-winning goal in overtime in Orlando.
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