ESTERO, FL – Michael Downing’s goal at 6:59 of overtime lifted the Florida Everblades to a 3-2 victory over the Jacksonville Icemen in Game 1 of the South Division Semifinals at Hertz Arena Thursday night. The Everblades take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Icemen struck first at 11:43 of the first period.  Kris Newbury raced to the puck to set up a 2-on-1 rush.  Newbury steered a pass across the slot to Jake Randolph who hammered a shot on goal. Florida netminder Jeremy Helvig made the save, but the rebound was poked into the net at the crease by Alexis D’Aoust for the goal.  

Moments later, Jacksonville extended it’s lead to 2-0 on a power play goal. Maxime Fortier threw a shot on goal that was stopped by Helvig, but the puck skipped up and over the Florida goaltender and landed in the crease behind him.  The Icemen’s Christophe Lalancette poked the puck into the net for tally.  

Less than a minute later, Florida pulled within one on a power goal of their own.  A Matt Finn shot form the point wandered to the pads of Icemen goaltender Ken Appleby who made the initial save.  However, Justin Auger crashed the net and stabbed at the puck with this stick to guide it into the net for the goal.    Auger’s power play marker put the score at 2-1 after one.

Neither team scored in the second period, as the Icemen continued to scratch and claw to hold off the Florida attack.

The Everblades netted the equalizer at 13:09 of the third period on a goal by Matt Finn.   Ben Masella hammered a slapshot form the blue line, but Appleby got a piece of with the pad.  However, the rebound bounced directly to a wide-open Finn above the crease and he easily shoved the puck in for the tying goal to eventually force overtime.  

In the extra session, the Icemen were called for a high sticking penalty that put Florida on the power play.  Michael Downing wristed a shot from the point that beat a screened Appleby to secure a 3-2 Everblades overtime win in Game 1. 

The two teams will meet again for Game 2 on Saturday in Estero.  Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.Broadcast Information: Fans can catch all Icemen playoff game broadcasts on Mixlr, and on ECHL.TV. #1 Florida Everblades vs, #4 Jacksonville Icemen (Florida leads the best-of-seven series 1-0)

Game 1:  Thursday, April 11, Jacksonville – 2 at Florida – 3 (Overtime)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

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

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