The Jacksonville Icemen (9-18-3-2, 23 pts) are in Orlando to take on the Solar Bears (15-16-4-1, 35 pts) today at 1:30 p.m. Today's game caps off a long, three-game stint against the Solar Bears.
Last night's game was a tough loss for the Icemen and it marked the first time the team has been shut out in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union. However, Jacksonville has been competitive in every meeting between the two in-state rivals this season. In fact, the Icemen were tied during much of the previous two games, and when they were losing it was by a small margin.
For the Icemen to stop a three-game losing streak on Sunday, they're going to need to focus on getting shots on goal. The Solar Bears limited Jacksonville to only 22 shots on goal on Saturday and 23 on Friday. Orlando also has done an excellent job of keeping the Icemen off the scoreboard in the first period. So many of the Icemen's wins this season have come from fast starts and multiple first period goals.
Between the pipes, it is expected that Cal Heeter will get the start for the Solar Bears. Heeter last played on Friday against the Icemen, limiting them to just three goals in a winning effort. Jacksonville has three goalies to choose from for Sunday's game. Both Colton Phinney and Austin Lotz have made two appearances against Orlando this season. Phinney is the last Icemen netminder to defeat the Solar Bears as Jacksonville won 6-4 over Orlando on Nov. 28.
Sunday's matinee in Orlando starts at 1:30 p.m. from the Amway Center. Tune into ECHL TV for all the intense, rivalry hockey as the Icemen and Solar Bears battle once again.
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 9-18-3-2 (7th in South division)
Orlando Solar Bears: 15-16-4-1 (4th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 12/124 – 9.7% (27th in ECHL)
Solar Bears: 29/182 – 15.9% (18th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 118/145 – 81.4% (20th in ECHL)
Solar Bears: 144/174 – 82.8% (15th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#11 F Cameron Critchlow (JAX)
8G, 12A – 20 Pts, +10 Rating
Critchlow has three goals and five points against Orlando. The last time the Icemen traveled to Orlando, Critchlow scored twice.
#88 F Joshua Winquist (ORL)
14G, 23A – 37 Pts, -14 Rating
Winquist has four goals and seven points against the Icemen this season, including the game-winning goal on Saturday.
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