Game Preview: Gladiators at Icemen, March 29, 2019

GAME NOTES

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Atlanta Gladiators

Friday, March 29, 2019 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena   Home Game #35

Referee: Chris Pontes (#12)  Linesmen: Randy Dengler (#68) & Julien Fournier (#83)

About Today’s Game: Tonight’s ECHL South Division match-up features the Jacksonville Icemen and the Atlanta Gladiators. The two teams are set to meet tonight and tomorrow in downtown Jacksonville with major playoff implications on the line. The Icemen pulled their magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to five with a 2-1 victory at Greenville last night.  The top four teams in the division will make the playoffs and Jacksonville (74 pts) currently sits in third place, four points ahead of both South Carolina (70 pts) and Atlanta (70 pts). Jacksonville trails second place Orlando by just three points. Four point swings will be in play tonight as the Icemen and Gladiators do battle this weekend.  The Gladiators are riding a three-game win streak and have garnered points in eight of their last ten games.  The Orlando Solar Bears can clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight at Greenville.

Series History:  Tonight’s contest marks the ninth of ten meetings between the two teams this season.  Jacksonville leads the season series 4-3-0-1, while Atlanta leads the All-Time series 11-5-3-0. 

About the Icemen: The Icemen have won back-to-back games and a key to their recent success has been the play of goaltender Angus Redmond.  In his two starts with the Icemen, Redmond has stopped 57 of the 59 shots that he has faced, earning a pair of wins….Tonight fans will once again have the opportunity to see the offensive talents of Alexis D’Aoust, who was reassigned to the team yesterday by Manitoba of the American Hockey League (AHL).   D’Aoust has averaged two points per-game with the Icemen this season, posting 12 points in six ECHL games….Forward Kris Newbury is currently riding a three-game point & assists streak (4 assists).

About the Gladiators:  The Icemen will need to find a way to limit forward Nick Bligh.  In seven games against Jacksonville this season, Bligh has amassed eight goals and one assist, including two hat tricks on January 12 and March 10..  Additionally, Bligh is tied for the team lead in scoring with 47 points.  Teammate Derek Nesbitt also has 47 points this season along with eight points (3g, 5a) in seven games against Jacksonville…. Forward Nolan Laporte has scored in his last three games and is riding a four-game point streak. 

Today’s Promotions:  Jumbo Shrimp Night! The team will wear special Shrimp jerseys to celebrate our baseball friends from across the street! 

Tomorrow’s Promotions:  The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for Fan Appreciation Night, with giveaways all night long! There is also a team photo giveaway for the best fans in the ECHL!

The 2018-19 Jacksonville Icemen Season is Presented by Community First Credit Union

###