GAMEDAY PREVIEW: GAME 5, EVERBLADES AT ICEMEN, 4/20/19

GAME NOTESJacksonville Icemen vs. Florida EverbladesSaturday, April 20, 2019 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial ArenaGame 5 of the South Division Semifinals  Referees: Sean Fernandez (#21) & Matt Menniti (#10)Linesmen: Randy Dengler (#68) & Jason Leisten (#48)

About Tonight’s Game: Tonight marks Game 5 of the South Division Semifinals between the Jacksonville Icemen and the Florida Everblades. Last night the Icemen evened the series at 2-2 to set up a pivotal Game 5 tonight and force a Game 6 on Monday in Estero at 7:30 p.m.   The Icemen have taken the lead into the third period in three of the four games played in the series, going 2-0-1 in those contests. 

Series History:  Florida led the regular season 9-3-1-0 and leads the All-Time regular season series 22-3-2-0.  All six of Jacksonville’s wins against Florida in the regular season and playoffs this season have come on home ice.

About the Icemen: With a goal and an assist last night, Maxime Fortier extended his points streak to four games (3g, 3a). Fortier is now tied for third overall in scoring in the playoffs (6 pts) and ranks second among rookies in goals (3) ….Rookie goaltender Mikhail Berdin earned his second win in the playoffs last night and now ranks fourth in the playoffs with a 0.944 save percentage….Forwards Cam Maclise and Kris Newbury each recorded three-point performances on Friday with a goal and two assists each.  Newbury is second in scoring for the Icemen with five points (1g, 4a) and has logged points in three of the four games in the series. 

About the Everblades: Through the first four games of the series, the Everblades have outshot the Icemen 142-79.  Florida ranks first in the postseason with a 19.75 shots-against per game average….Ben Masella is tied for second among defenseman in the playoffs with four points (4a)….Linemates John McCarron and Justin Auger continue to lead the Everblades in scoring with five points each.  

Series Schedule and Results: Game 1:  Thursday, April 11, Jacksonville - 2 at Florida – 3 (OT)Game 2:  Saturday, April 13, Jacksonville -1  at Florida – 4Game 3:  Thursday, April 18,  Florida – 3 at  Jacksonville - 4Game 4:  Friday, April 19, Florida – 1 at Jacksonville - 3Game 5:  Saturday, April 20, Florida at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m.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