The Jacksonville Icemen have extended their point streak to nine games after collecting the overtime victory on Friday night. The Icemen would host the Florida Everblades for military appreciation night. The game would be a nail-biter as tension brewed between the two organizations. The Icemen started off hot, outshooting Florida 15 – 10 in the first period. But Florida would be the first team on top. Florida’s Sean Josling scores right off the face-off from the slot, putting Florida ahead 1-0 at 12:07 in the first period.
The second period would carry the same offensive monument. Florida and Jacksonville would continue to shoot their shots from both sides of the rink. Jacksonville would finally gain a stride, as they scored a minute and 45 seconds in the second period. Jacob Panetta would race down the ice, getting Jacksonville set on a 3 v 2. He would pass it to Christopher Brown, who put the wrist shot away. The second period would end with the score tied at 1 -1.
The third period would continue to display the offensive power both teams had. Florida would come out even harder, outshooting the Icemen 14 – 6. However, tensions would flare as Florida and Jacksonville players get into it. Almost all the players on the ice would be a part of the scuffle, leading the announcers to say, “Now it’s just sticks up high; nobody even cares about the puck right now…Everybody wants a piece of everybody.” Only two penalties were given one to Florida player, Reese Zmolek and Jacksonville’s Garret Cockerill for roughing. The period would end at a standstill neither team was able to connect with the goal. The Icemen and Everblades would head to overtime.
Both teams continued to play defensively strong during the start of overtime. Garrett Van Wyhe was able to rip the puck around the boards connecting the puck with Damien Giroux. Giroux would pass the puck to Brendan Harris, who would set up the 2 v 1. Harris would pass the puck to Van Wyhe, who was able to blast a wrist shot by Florida goalie Cam Johnson. Resulting in a Jacksonville goal and the overtime victory.
The Icemen look to continue their point streak as they face the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Enmarket Arena on Saturday, February 17th, at 7 pm. Jacksonville is back home on Sunday, February 18th, at 3 pm, against the Ghost Pirates for Military Appreciation night.
Click here to see the full game gallery from our Icemen Photographer Andrew Fielder.
One thought on “ECHL Game Recap: Jacksonville Icemen vs. Florida Everblades| 02/16/2024”