GREENVILLE, SC – In the second consecutive contest, the Icemen found themselves in a post-regulation clash, one in which they fell again, this time in Overtime. The Jacksonville Icemen (0-1-2) fell 3-2 in overtime to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (2-0-1) at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday night.
Drew Kuzma and Timothy Heinke both scored for the Icemen while goaltender Cameron Rowe made 26 saves in the overtime loss.
FIRST PERIOD
For the third game in a row, the Icemen struck first as an open-ice hit in the offensive zone by Tyler Schleppe earned him the puck through a turnover before sending cross-ice pass to Tanner Kelly at the right-wing circle. Kelly then dished a nifty backdoor pass into the slot for Kuzma, who deflected the puck into the net for his third point in three games. Though Jacksonville scored first, they didn't end the period with a lead as the Swamp Rabbits tied it 1-1 just under two minutes later.
SECOND PERIOD
The middle period was back-and-forth: both sides netted about the same number of shots, were held in check on the power play, and had an equal number of scoring chances. However, Greenville struck in transition in the final five minutes of the second period to take ,a 2-1 lead.
THIRD PERIOD
Trailing 2-1 entering the third period, Jacksonville put forward their best third-period performance of the season. They carried the play in the third, out-shooting the Swamp Rabbits 12-2. They were rewarded by Timothy Heinkie’s first of the ECHL that he batted in off a net-mouth scramble to tie the game up 2-2.
OVERTIME
Unfortunately, Jacksonville’s stellar play did not carry over to the extra session. Despite a solid chance by Colby Ambrosio, a late tripping minor put the Icemen on the penalty kill. It did not take long for Greenville to take advantage off a short-angle shot that beat the Icemen netminder to the short-side.
Despite the loss, the Icemen showed strong progress in their Friday night outing and outshot the Swamp Rabbits 32-29. They will look for their first win of the season on Saturday night in Savannah against the Ghost Pirates. Face-off is set for 7:00 pm.
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