JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Florida Everblades scored four goal in the third period to defeat the Jacksonville Icemen 5-1 in Game 5 of the South Division Semifinals at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena Saturday night. The Everblades now hold a 3-2 series lead heading into Monday’s Game 6.
After taking some time to settle into the game, both teams exchanged scoring opportunities in the final half of the first period, but goaltender Ken Appleby and Callum Booth made the necessary saves.
Before the close of the opening frame, Jacksonville grabbed the game’s first goal. Cam Maclise raced to the puck in the corner and fed a perfect pass to Jake Randolph at the top of the crease. Randolph batted the puck at point blank range past Booth to give the Icemen a 1-0 lead heading into the second period.
Florida countered late in the third when Ben Masella accepted a drop pass just above the right circle and hammered the puck on a hard slapshot past Appleby to even the game at 1-1 at the second break.
The Everblades found their stride just 1:15 into the third period when Justin Auger delivered a cross-crease pass to Blake Winiecki who finished off the play by tapping the puck into the net.
Nearly a minute later, Florida extended its lead to 3-1 following an Icemen turnover in their own end. Matt Finn grabbed the loose puck and led a 2-on-1 rush down the slot before setting up Grant Arnold on the back door for the tally.
Winiecki potted his second goal of the period at 8:33, while Ben Masella record his second goal of the game when he cleared the puck down the ice for the empty-netter to seal the 5-1 win.
The two teams will meet in Game 6 on Monday (April 22) at Hertz Arena in Estero. Game time is set for 7:30 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 leada the best-of-seven series 3-2)
Game 1: Thursday, April 11, Jacksonville – 2 at Florida – 3 (Overtime)Game 2: Saturday, April 13, Jacksonville – 1 at Florida – 4Game 3: Thursday, April 18, Florida – 3 at Jacksonville – 4 Game 4: Friday, April 19, Florida – 1 at Jacksonville - 3Game 5: Saturday, April 20, Florida – 5 at Jacksonville – 1 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
The 2018-19 Jacksonville Icemen Season is Presented by Community First Credit Union
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