JACKSONVILLE, FL – Despite a strong start and a lead-off goal, the Jacksonville Icemen (3-4-3) fell to the Florida Everblades (8-1-0) 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Timothy Heinke scored the lone goal for Jacksonville while goaltender Chase Wutzke made 31 saves on 35 shots in the loss.
The Icemen will regroup and look to get back in the win column on Friday night when they host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:00 pm.
FIRST PERIOD
Both sides battled back and forth in the first period with chances at both ends of the ice. Florida got chances on the power play and a mini-breakaway, while the Icemen had several quality looks at the net from close range. Neither side could find the lead until Tim Heinke forced a turnover along the left wing and streaked into the offensive zone. Heinke, who had four shots on net last night, unleashed a high-rising wrist shot that beat Everblades goaltender Roddy Ross on his glove side to give Jacksonville their first lead of the weekend.
SECOND PERIOD
The Everblades pressured hard in the first five minutes of the second period and were rewarded with a rebound to tie it 1-1. Jacksonville got pressure late in the period thanks to a few power plays but couldn't retake the lead.
THIRD PERIOD
Florida found the back of the net twice more in the third period to take a 3-1 lead on the Icemen and made life difficult for Jacksonville the rest of the way. Florida added on more goals late to defeat the Icemen in regulation, 4-1 to close out the final game of the three-game weekend.
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