By Mike Bonts
STATELINE, NV – The Tahoe Knight Monsters (1-1) notched their first ever ECHL victory with a 3-1 win over the Jacksonville Icemen (1-1-1) Friday night before 4,010 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center.
Justin Close made his first career start in goal for Jacksonville, stopping 36 shots. Jesper Vikman picked up the win with 32 saves.
In the first, Robert Calisti headed to the penalty box for holding, Troy Loggins’ one-timer put the Knight Monsters up 1-0 with 9:33 to play. Jake McGrew picked up the helper.
Tahoe added to their 1-0 lead just 1:30 into the second stanza. Brandon Tabakin’s short-handed tally was assisted by Hughes.
The Icemen took advantage of a 5-on-4 power play for five minutes after defenseman Sam Mayer was sent off with a major for boarding Chris Grando. Jacksonville cut the Tahoe lead in half on Davis Koch’s goal halfway through the final frame. Logan Cockerill and Robert Calisti set up the score.
The Knight Monsters outshot the Icemen 15-8 in the first 20 minutes. Bear Hughes’ empty netter made it 3-1 in the final minute of regulation. The Icemen did not allow a goal at even strength in the contest, as Tahoe used a power play goal, a shorthanded goal and an empty net goal to secure their first ever win.
The Icemen play again Nov. 2 in a road contest against the Orlando Solar Bears.
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