With only 11 games remaining in the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, every point is valuable. Tonight, the Jacksonville Icemen (22-32-4-3, 51 pts) begin the first of two must-win games against the Atlanta Gladiators (29-31-1-2, 61 pts) on the road.
Currently, the Gladiators sit a comfortable 10 points over the Icemen for the fourth and final seed in the South Division. However, Jacksonville has two games in hand heading into the final two contests between the two teams this season. If Jacksonville can win both games this week, the Icemen will only be six points back with two games in hand heading into the final three weeks of the season.
Both teams have been going through a rough patch recently. The Gladiators have lost three out of their last 10 games, and the Icemen enter tonight's game looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Atlanta has dominated the season series so far, winning seven out of nine games, including all five at Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth. It's been over a month since the Icemen last played the Gladiators, resulting in a 3-1 victory for Jacksonville at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Captain Garet Hunt can reach another milestone in his impressive professional career tonight if he laces his skates up. The veteran is looking to skate in his 623rd career game, moving the 30-year-old past Randy Rowe into seventh place all-time in ECHL games played.
Tune into ECHL TV tonight at 7:05 p.m. as the Icemen and Gladiators battle in the most important game of the season.
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 22-32-4-3 (6th in South division)
Atlanta Gladiators: 29-31-1-2 (4th in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 24/244 – 9.8% (27th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 34/243 – 14.0% (24th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 223/271 – 82.3% (18th in ECHL)
Gladiators: 211/257 – 82.1% (19th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#14 F Jimmy Lodge (JAX)
17G, 25A – 42 Pts, +23 Rating
In nine games against the Gladiators, Lodge leads the Icemen in scoring with 10 points (5g-5a).
#11 F Ben Danford (ATL)
10G, 24A – 34 Pts, 0 Rating
Danford has been a key player for Atlanta against Jacksonville this season, registering nine points (3g-6a).
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