After a tough loss to the South Carolina Stingrays on Wednesday, Atlanta Gladiators head coach Derek Nesbitt emphasized the importance of starting strong in their upcoming games. In the team’s press release following the game, Nesbitt stated, “We didn’t start on time, plain and simple. We can’t expect to get behind and be let back in games every night.” This sentiment certainly sets the stage for the Gladiators as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Icemen, aiming to improve their performance and climb the standings.
Date & Time
Date: January 10, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL
Where to Watch/Listen
Tune in to FloHockey or listen live on the respective broadcast networks to catch all the action!
TV/Streaming: FloHockey
Listen Live: Jacksonville Icemen Broadcast Network
Listen Live: Atlanta Gladiators Broadcast Network
Team Standings and Recent Performance
Atlanta Gladiators: Currently ranked 17th in the league, the Gladiators hold a record of 16-15-3-1 (36 points) and sit 5th in the South Division. They have demonstrated resilience with a 6-4-0-0 record in their last 10 games. They are currently on a 1-1 streak, having scored 91 goals while conceding 112.
Jacksonville Icemen: Positioned 9th in the league standings, the Icemen boast a record of 19-11-2-1 (41 points) and are 3rd in the South Division. They excel at home and have a strong offensive presence. With a 6-3-0-1 record in their last 10 games, they are coming off a recent victory. They have netted 99 goals and allowed 87.
Key Players to Watch
Atlanta Gladiators: Cody Sylvester leads the team with 25 points, including 11 goals and 14 assists, while Eric Neiley has contributed 24 points with 10 goals and 14 assists. Joey Cipollone and Blake Murray have also been key offensive players, with 19 points each. On defense, Derek Topatigh has been a standout with 23 points. In goal, Ethan Haider has been solid with a 2.58 GAA and a .909 save percentage, while Drew DeRidder has a 3.19 GAA and a .900 save percentage.
Jacksonville Icemen: Davis Koch has been a top performer with 24 points, including 8 goals and 16 assists. Zach Jordan and Christopher Brown have also been significant contributors, with 20 and 18 points respectively. Brendan Harris and Logan Cockerill have been crucial in recent games, with Harris scoring 18 points in 18 games and Cockerill adding 18 points in 19 games. On defense, Garrett Van Wyhe and Ivan Chukarov have each tallied 18 points. In goal, Matt Vernon has been impressive with a 2.51 GAA and a .919 save percentage, while Justen Close has a 2.20 GAA and a .923 save percentage.
Head-To-Head Matchups
- Cody Sylvester (Atlanta) vs. Davis Koch (Jacksonville): Both players are leading scorers for their respective teams. Sylvester, with 25 points, and Koch, with 24 points, will be looking to outdo each other offensively.
- Eric Neiley (Atlanta) vs. Zach Jordan (Jacksonville): Neiley has been a consistent performer for Atlanta with 24 points, while Jordan has 20 points for Jacksonville. Their contributions will be crucial in determining the game’s outcome.
- Derek Topatigh (Atlanta) vs. Garrett Van Wyhe (Jacksonville): On the defensive end, Topatigh has been a standout for Atlanta with 23 points, while Van Wyhe has 18 points for Jacksonville. Their ability to control the game from the blue line will be key.
- Ethan Haider (Atlanta) vs. Matt Vernon (Jacksonville): The goaltending battle will be significant, with Haider boasting a 2.58 GAA and a .909 save percentage, and Vernon having a 2.51 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Their performances could be the deciding factor in the game should these two be minding their respective nets.
News and Notes
Atlanta Gladiators: The Gladiators will be looking to improve their standing in the South Division with a win against the Jacksonville Icemen. Atlanta has shown determination in their recent games, with a solid 6-4-0-0 record in their last 10 outings. However, they will need to tighten up their defense, as they have allowed 112 goals this season. In their last game against the South Carolina Stingrays, the Gladiators were defeated 7-3. Drew DeRidder started in goal for Atlanta, while Garin Bjorklund was in net for South Carolina. Despite goals from Ryan Cranford and Carson Denomie, the Gladiators couldn’t overcome the Stingrays’ offensive onslaught.
Jacksonville Icemen: The Icemen are coming off a recent win. With a strong home record and a potent offense, they will be a tough opponent for Atlanta. In their last game, Chris Grando recorded his first career hat trick and added an assist to help guide the Icemen to a 5-2 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Grando’s scoring spree began early in the first period of that game and continued into the second, where he completed a natural hat trick. The Icemen also saw goals from Olivier Nadeau and Zach Jordan, while Matt Vernon made 23 saves to secure the win.
Last Matchup
In their last matchup, the Gladiators faced a tough defeat against the Icemen, losing 7-2 at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia on December 21st. Drew DeRidder was the starting goalie for Atlanta, while Matt Vernon took the net for Jacksonville. The scoring began with Brendan Harris for the Icemen, followed by a backhanded goal from Logan Cockerill. Despite Atlanta outshooting Jacksonville 11-5 in the first period, they found themselves behind by two goals. In the second period, Ethan Haider took over for DeRidder, but the Icemen maintained their dominance. Cockerill completed his hat trick, with additional goals from Chase Lang and Jonathan Hampton sealing the victory. DeRidder saved three out of five shots, while Haider stopped 14 of 19. For Jacksonville, Vernon made an impressive 31 saves.
Prediction
This matchup promises to be a competitive game, with both teams having a lot at stake. Jacksonville’s home advantage and slightly better record as of late might give them the edge, but Atlanta’s determination to climb the standings could make for an exciting divisional contest.
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