Gameday Preview: Game 3, Everblades at Icemen, April 18, 2019

GAME NOTESJacksonville Icemen vs. Florida EverbladesThursday, April 18, 2019 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial ArenaGame 3 of the South Division Semifinals  Referees: Andrew Wilk (#24) & Sean Fernandez (#21) Linesmen: Randy Dengler (#68) & Charlie O’Connor (#43)

About Tonight’s Game: Welcome to Game 3 of the South Division Semifinals between the Jacksonville Icemen and the Florida Everblades. Playoff hockey returns to Duvall this evening following a near 20-year absence. Florida currently leads the best-of-seven series 2-0 after earning a pair of wins last weekend in Estero. The series now shifts to Jacksonville for Game 3 tonight and Game 4 on Friday. If necessary, the Icemen will play host to Game 5 on Saturday. 

The Icemen were 4-9-0 against the Everblades during the regular season, with all four victories coming on home ice. In four of the nine losses to Florida in the regular season, the Icemen held the lead going into the third period.  In addition, Jacksonville held a one-goal lead heading into the third period of Game 1 of the series, but Florida rallied to win in overtime 3-2.   

Series History:  Florida led the regular season 9-3-1-0 and leads the All-Time Series 22-3-2-0. 

About the Icemen: The Icemen received a boost to their playoff roster on Tuesday with the additions of goaltender Mikhail Berdin and forward Cam Maclise from Manitoba of the American Hockey League. The addition of Berdin along with fellow netminder Ken Appleby, solidifies the Icemen with one of the best goaltending tandems in the league.  Berdin posted a team best 16-8-1 record with the Icemen this season….Maxime Fortier leads the Icemen with two points in the playoffs, while Wacey Rabbit led the Icemen in scoring against Florida during the regular season with nine points….The Icemen have scored two of their three goals in the series in the first period. 

About the Everblades: Blake Winiecki is tied for fourth among rookies in the playoffs with three points (1g, 2a)….Despite facing the top ranked penalty kill unit from the regular season, the Everblades have found success on the power play against the Icemen in the series.  Florida ranks third on the power play in the playoffs at 37.5-percent, posting a 3-for-8 mark with the man-advantage….Second-year goaltender Callum Booth has been added to the active roster after nursing an injury….Forward John McCarron posted 15 points against the Icemen during the regular season and currently has  three points (1g, 2a) in two postseason contests against Jacksonville.  

Series Schedule and Results: Game 1:  Thursday, April 11, Jacksonville - 2 at Florida – 3 (OT)Game 2:  Saturday, April 13, Jacksonville -1  at Florida – 4 Game 3:  Tonight, Florida at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. 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

To purchase pickets for the Icemen’s home playoff games CLICK HERE

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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