JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose, along with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Monday that playoff hockey has officially returned to the City of Jacksonville. The Icemen will face the Florida Everblades in the first round of the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs beginning on Thursday.  The team in conjunction with Mayor Curry, kicked off the #GrowingSupport campaign, asking fans and residents to grow their playoff beards to support the Icemen’s playoff run.

Monday afternoon’s announcement came at a City Hall press conference.  Among the attendees were Mayor Lenny Curry, Icemen players, Head Coach Jason Christie, team President Bob Ohrablo, President of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Daniel Davis and General Manager of SMG Jacksonville Bill McConnell. 

Mayor Curry announced that he will show his support of the team’s playoff venture by growing a playoff beard and is asking everyone to show their support by taking part in the hockey playoff ritual.  The playoff beard is a tradition in modern day sports for teams competing in the playoffs.  The beard represents unity and serves as a symbol for victories.  The longer the team advances through the playoffs, the longer the beard.  For Mayor Curry, growing a beard is about supporting a team that has given back to the community. 

“The Jacksonville Icemen organization has reignited an excitement for ice hockey in Jacksonville not only by winning, but by continuously demonstrating its commitment to the community through charitable efforts and engagement with fans,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “I congratulate the players, coaches and staff in their success and will be rooting them on to a championship win.” 

The Icemen open their first-round playoff series against the Everblades on Thursday, April 11 in Estero.  The team will return home to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena and play host to Game 3 of the series on Thursday, April 18 and Game 4 on Friday, April 19.   Should a Game 5 be necessary, the Icemen would remain at home on Saturday, April 20.  Game times for all games is set for 7:00 p.m.

South Division Semifinals (Best-of-Seven Series)#1 Florida Everblades (50-16-5-1, 106 pts) vs.  #4 Jacksonville Icemen (36-32-2-2, 76 pts)

Quick Facts:  The Icemen defeated the Everblades four times during the 2018-19 regular season. Five of the 13 meetings between the two teams were decided by one goal.  The Everblades closed the regular season on a six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1-0).  The Icemen finished the regular season with the league’s top-ranked penalty kill unit at 87.5-percent. 

Icemen Team Leaders (Regular Season)Points: Wacey Rabbit (60) Goals:  Wacey Rabbit (29)  Assists: Wacey Rabbit, Kris Newbury (31)Plus/Minus:  Wacey Rabbit (+17)Penalty Minutes: Garet Hunt (268)Power Play Goals:  Justin Woods (4)Shorthanded Goals: Wacey Rabbit (6)Shots: Cody Fowlie (199)Wins: Mikhail Berdin** (16)Save %:   Ken Appleby** (0.923)GAA: Ken Appleby** (2.45)**Denotes player currently in AHLEverblades Team Leaders (Regular Season)Points: Joe Cox (61)Goals: Joe Cox (27)Assists:  Joe Cox, Blake Winiecki (34)Plus/Minus:  Joe Cox (+46)Penalty Minutes:  Mitch Vandergunst (201)Power Play Goals:  John McCarron, Derek Sheppard, Matt Finn (6)Shorthanded Goals:  John McCarron (3)Shots:  Blake Winiecki (184)Wins:  Jeremy Helvig (27)Save %:  Jeremy Helvig (.918)GAA:  Jeremy Helvig (2.27)**Denotes player currently in AHL

The following is a complete listing of the best-of-seven series:#1 Florida Everblades vs, #4 Jacksonville Icemen

Game 1:  Thursday, April 11, Jacksonville at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena)Game 2:  Saturday, April 13, Jacksonville at Florida, 7:00 p.m. (Hertz Arena)

Game 3:  Thursday, April 18, Florida at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)

Game 4:  Friday, April 19, Florida at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)

Game 5:  Saturday, April 20, Florida at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena) **

Game 6:  Monday, April 22, Jacksonville at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena) **Game 7:  Wednesday, April 24, Jacksonville at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (Hertz Arena) ***If Necessary

Broadcast Information: Fans can catch all Icemen playoff game broadcasts on Mixlr, and on ECHL.TV. 

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

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