Icemen Look for Fourth Straight Win Against Greenville

For the second time in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, the Jacksonville Icemen (14-23-3-2, 33 pts) have won four out of five games. Tonight, they have another opportunity for their first-ever three-game winning streak as they take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-21-3-1, 40 pts) for the second time in a three-game weekend.

Collecting eight points in their last five games isn't the only reason why the Icemen are confident. They have defeated the Swamp Rabbits in three consecutive games. During that stretch, Jacksonville has limited Greenville to just three goals, including Austin Lotz's first shutout of his ECHL career at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Dec. 22.

While the Icemen have struggled in the past two games to find the offense they enjoyed last weekend when they tallied 14 goals during that three-game road trip, they have found production from their captain. Garet Hunt is playing some of his best hockey this season just when his team needs him the most. Last night's win marked the first time this year that Hunt has scored in back-to-back games. Normally, his physical play sets the tone for Jacksonville, but his goal scoring of late has the whole team fired up.

With two games completed on this seven-game homestand, the Icemen have a maximum of 10 more points to capture at home. Those will desperately be needed as the team continues to chase the rest of the South Division for a playoff berth. Tanner Eberle, the game-winning goal scorer from Friday night, was optimistic about his team's chances to make the playoffs.

"If you look at the standings, we're still right in it. Honestly, it just takes the whole team coming together, everyone playing the same way. The biggest thing is to not get ahead of ourselves."

Forwards Jimmy Lodge and Elgin Pearce and goaltender Colton Phinney have been reassigned to the Icemen from the Manitoba Moose.

Click here to get your tickets for tonight's game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:30 p.m. as Faith & Family Weekend continues at Veterans Memorial Arena.

*TRAFFIC ALERT*

Jacksonville’s Mathews Bridge will see an eastbound bridge closure from Friday, January 26 at 6 p.m. until Sunday, January 28 at 6 a.m. as crews continue to rehabilitate portions of the deck. Westbound drivers will see an inside lane closure on the bridge. During the closure, drivers will be detoured to the Hart Bridge.

Matchup Breakdown

Records:

Jacksonville Icemen: 14-23-3-2 (7th in South division)

Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 18-21-3-1 (5th in South division)

Power Play:

Icemen: 18/170 – 10.6% (27th in ECHL)

Swamp Rabbits: 36/186 – 19.4% (6th in ECHL)

Penalty Kill:

Icemen: 153/187 – 81.8% (17th in ECHL)

Swamp Rabbits: 142/188 – 75.5% (27th in ECHL)

Players to Watch:

#29 F Tanner Eberle (JAX)

14G, 6A – 20 Pts, -2 Rating

Eberle scored the game-winning goal last night against Greenville. He has nine points in his past nine games.

#1 F Evan Jasper (GRN)

14G, 18A – 32 Pts, -5 Rating

Jasper has two goals and one assist in five games against the Icemen this season.