Pearce Scores Game-Winner in Return to Jacksonville

For the first time in team history, the Jacksonville Icemen won three consecutive games as they took down the Swamp Rabbits, 3-1, in front of 7,218 fans. Elgin Pearce was prominent in his return to the Icemen, scoring the game-winning goal in the third period.

There hasn't been a more predictable player this week than captain Garet Hunt. For the third straight game, the veteran got the scoring started with another first-period goal. Cameron Critchlow forced a turnover in the offensive zone and skated around a Greenville defender before finding Hunt all alone in the crease for the tap-in goal. Austin Lotz was solid again, stopping all seven Greenville shots in the opening frame.

In the second period, the game started to even out as Greenville began to possess the puck more. The improved play from the Swamp Rabbits would pay off as a bad pass led to a two-on-one breakaway for Greenville. Shane Walsh would hold onto the puck and fire a wrist shot past Lotz from the right circle. Jacksonville thought they responded late in the period on the power play, but the refs determined no goal was scored.

The Icemen would start the third period on the power play as Joe Basaraba's four-minute penalty carried over. Jacksonville would finally take advantage as Elgin Pearce scored the first power-play goal against Greenville in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union. With under five minutes remaining, Bobby MacIntyre added an insurance goal as he skated across the slot and put a backhand shot top shelf for the 3-1 lead.

The Icemen conclude Faith & Family Weekend tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.