The Jacksonville Icemen (22-30-4-3, 51 pts) continue a busy weekend tonight as they host the Florida Everblades (40-12-2-4, 86 pts) at 7:30 p.m.
Last night, it was the 'Blades who took the first game of a back-to-back between the two clubs in a 5-2 victory. With key players, Michael Kirkpatrick and Quentin Shore, no longer on the active roster, Florida has seen others quickly rise to fill their void. Forward John McCarron has been on fire as of late, bringing a five-game goal streak and six-game point streak into tonight's contest. Mitchell Heard enters tonight's game with a five-point streak and leads all 'Blades in scoring against Jacksonville with 12 points (5g-7a).
The Icemen ran into Florida's difficult defense and goaltending last night, only registering 26 shots and two goals in 60 minutes. Tonight, it is presumed that Florida will start Martin Ouellette after Booth was between the pipes last night. Ouellette has been phenomenal in the crease for Florida, leading the team with a 2.11 GAA and a .920 SV%, along with 24 wins on the season.
Florida did an excellent job last night of keeping some of Jacksonville's biggest threats offensively off the scoresheet. While Jimmy Lodge collected his 12th multi-point game of the season, leading scorer Elgin Pearce wasn't able to find the back of the net, snapping his franchise record-tying four-game goal streak. For a win tonight, the Icemen will need to see their skilled forwards step up and score.
Cheer on the Icemen as they continue to make a playoff push tonight against the Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m. Click here to get your tickets now!
Matchup Breakdown
Records:
Jacksonville Icemen: 22-30-4-3 (6th in South division)
Florida Everblades: 40-12-2-4 (1st in South division)
Power Play:
Icemen: 23/237 – 9.7% (27th in ECHL)
Everblades: 38/218 – 17.4% (13th in ECHL)
Penalty Kill:
Icemen: 215/260 – 82.7% (16th in ECHL)
Everblades: 223/258 – 86.4% (5th in ECHL)
Players to Watch:
#22 F Bobby MacIntyre (JAX)
16G, 15A – 31 Pts, +5 Rating
MacIntyre only has one assist in six games against Florida. Look for the speedy forward to break out tonight against the ‘Blades.
#25 F John McCarron (FLA)
24G, 29A – 53 Pts, +23 Rating
McCarron brings a six-game point streak and five-game goal streak into tonight’s game. He also leads the ‘Blades in scoring with 53 points on the season.
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