The Icemen played one of their best games of the homestand, but came up just short in a shootout on Saturday night in front of 6,307 fans. Dajon Mingo scored in the second period and in the shootout, one of two players to find the back of the net for the Icemen tonight.
Despite playing the previous two nights, the Icemen looked full of energy during the entire first period. Once again, Jacksonville controlled play and generated several quality scoring chances. During the first frame, both teams had two power plays, but neither could convert on the man advantage. As the horn sounded, the Icemen led in shots on goal, 12-6.
Dajon Mingo didn't take long to give the Icemen the lead in the second period. After a faceoff in the offensive zone, Mingo fired the puck from the right boards past Jeff Jakaitis for the 1-0 lead. The Stingrays would answer later in the frame as Dylan Margonari fired a puck off Marcus Perrier's skate into the net on the power play.
In the third period, the defenses were the story as each team only posted four shots on goal. The goalies at each end of the ice made key saves when they had to and overtime was needed after 60 minutes.
During a frantic three-on-three overtime, each team had grade-A scoring chances, but the goalies stood strong. In the shootout, Tim Daly and Tim McGauley scored in the first round. Next up, Taylor Cammarata scored for the Stingrays to take the 2-1 advantage. In the third round, Dajon Mingo came up clutch with a nifty goal, and Colton Phinney stopped Joe Devin to continue the game. However, captain Garet Hunt was unable to convert on his attempt and Steven Whitney scored to win the game, 2-1.
The Icemen travel to South Carolina to take on the Swamp Rabbits for one game on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m.