JACKSOVILLE, FL – Defensemen Jacob Panetta and Mackenzie Dwyer each finished with a goal and an assist to help guide the Jacksonville Icemen to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Gladiators Friday Night at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. With the win, the Icemen clinch a playoff berth into the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
The Icemen scored first in the contest on a tally from Chris Grando, but the Gladiators used two unanswered goals from Michael Pelech and Derek Topatigh to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
In the second, the Icemen seized control of the game, scoring three goals in a span of 4:16 to take a 4-2 lead. Jacob Panetta, Matheson Iacooelli and Makenzie Dwyer each scored goals.
Atlanta countered, with late goal in the third from Sanghoon Shin, but the Icemen led by goal goaltender Olof Lindbom would prevail to seal a 4-3 victory and punch their ticket to the Kelly Cup Playoffs. This marks the third time in Jacksonville Icemen club history that the team has reached the postseason.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. The Annual Guns N' Hoses Games starts at 3:00 p.m.
#LitesOut
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers