ECHL Game Recap: Jacksonville Icemen vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 12/19/2024

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits hosted the Jacksonville Icemen for their retro themed night featuring classic hits from the 60s-90s on Dec. 19. The classic tunes propelled the home team to a shutout victory in the heated division rivalry, with Jacob Ingham making his ninth start of the season.

Matt Vernon started for the Icemen, having been solid between the pipes. His team recently came off a 2-1 overtime victory in Orlando the day before their matchup in Greenville.

Here’s what went down between the two teams during three periods of hockey.

1st Period

Tyson Fawcett opened the scoring for Greenville just 3:31 into the game. Bryce Brodzinski provided the primary and only assist on Fawcett’s goal

Then, 16 minutes into the first period, Caleb Lawrence capitalized on a forecheck in the offensive zone to net a five-hole, close-to-crease unassisted goal, solidifying a 2-0 lead. Throughout the period, no penalties were called, as both teams were disciplined yet physical on both fronts.

So, after twenty minutes, the Swamp Rabbits held a 2-0 lead over the Icemen.

Shots on goal: eight shots for both teams, respectively

2nd Period

The Icemen buckled down both offensively and defensively, spending plenty of time in Greenville’s zone, mustering up plays and trying to score. However, Ingham was a brick wall throughout the entire period, shutting down the Icemen’s attempts.

At 4:26, Ivan Chukarov was sent to the sin bin as referee Hunter Mottinger called a tripping minor. Despite being down a man, the Icemen did a solid job killing off the first penalty of the game, allowing only one shot on Vernon while breaking up other plays inside and outside the defensive zone.

Then, 20 seconds after the penalty was killed, the Icemen drew their first power play opportunity of the game. However, the Swamp Rabbits mirrored the Icemen’s efforts, preventing the visiting team from making shots on net and scoring.

After forty minutes, the score remained 2-0 in favor of Greenville.e.

Shots on goal: JAX 6; GVL 7

3rd Period

The final stretch of hockey started well for the Icemen as they had good looks on net. However, shot after shot from all three periods were Ingham’s game.

He was having a night and would soon be rewarded after 60 minutes. Ten minutes into the period, a burst of energy from the Swamp Rabbits’ defense sparked Austin Saint to rush down to Jacksonville’s zone and net a top-shelf, bar-down goal from a tight angle, giving his team a 3-0 lead.

But moments after the goal, the Icemen turned on the jets and gave everything they had to score. However, the Swamp Rabbits put on another show of tight backchecking, with defenders making blocker saves in tandem with Ingham.

At 17:09, both teams engaged in roughhousing after the whistle and were sent to 4-on-4 for two minutes. This proved decisive for the Icemen, as after the coincidental minors, Greenville prevented them from making adequate plays with Vernon out for the extra attacker.

So, after 60 minutes, the Swamp Rabbits secured a 3-0 shutout victory.

Final shots on goal: 29 JAX; 21 GVL

Three Stars of the Game

1. Jacob Ingham (29-save shutout)
2. Tyson Fawcett (1G)
3. Caleb Lawrence (1G)

The Swamp Rabbits will return to play in Savannah on Dec. 22, while the Icemen will be back in action in Atlanta on Dec. 21 to complete their three-game week road trip.