Fresh off three days of rest, the Jacksonville Icemen (15-24-3-2, 35 pts) drop the puck on Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend as they take on the Atlanta Gladiators (22-22-1-2, 47 pts) tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Despite suffering a disappointing 4-2 loss on Sunday afternoon to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, the Icemen are still alive in the playoff hunt with 28 games remaining in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit. For the second straight weekend, the Icemen will play three consecutive games, as they take on the Gladiators on back-to-back nights before facing off against the Stingrays.
This is going to be a real test for Jacksonville, as they'll be facing two of the top teams in the South Division. In the previous six meetings against the Gladiators this season, the Icemen have skated away with just one victory. Offensively, it's good news for Jacksonville to have forward Jimmy Lodge back from Manitoba. In six games against Atlanta, Lodge has eight points, including three goals and five assists. They'll need continued production from the 22-year-old if they want to inch closer to a playoff berth.
Austin Lotz captured the lone win for Jacksonville against Atlanta back on Dec. 21, as the Icemen won a nail-biter, 4-3. It is likely that Dan Vladar will start between the pipes for the Gladiators, as he has yet to be defeated by the Icemen, posting a perfect 3-0 record against Jacksonville.
Don't miss out as the Icemen take on the Gladiators from Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets here!
*TRAFFIC ADVISORY*
The Main Street Bridge will be closed on Thursday from 6:30 p.m - 6:30 a.m. The Acosta Bridge will serve as a detour during this time.
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 15-24-3-2 (7th in South division)
Atlanta Gladiators: 22-22-1-2 (3rd in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 19/180 – 10.6% (27th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 28/187 – 15.0% (22nd in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 159/195 – 81.5% (19th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 152/186 – 81.7% (17th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#14 F Jimmy Lodge (JAX)
10G, 18A – 28 Pts, +15 Rating
Lodge leads the Icemen with three goals and five assists against Atlanta this season.
#11 F Ben Danford (ATL)
9G, 22A – 31 Pts, 0 Rating
Danford leads the Gladiators with seven points (2g-5a) against the Icemen this season.
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