The Jacksonville Icemen are coming off a strong month of February. The Icemen went 9 – 2 during the month. As well as Matt Vernon being named ECHL goalie of the month. However, March is starting a little slower for the Jacksonville Icemen, as they are currently 0 – 2 in their first two matches of March. The Icemen look to snap their three-game losing streak, on Sunday, March 3rd against the Orlando Solar Bears.
The intensity between the Icemen and Solar Bears is unmatched. Both the teams and fans feel every hit and see the intensity of trying to be better than the other. The first period is nothing shy of a quiet period. Jacksonville started strong with multiple opportunities to score. But Orlando’s Brandon Halverson was there. Both teams continued to play aggressively. Orlando players Tyler Bird and Daniel Walker and Jacksonville’s Connor Russell would be called for roughing. Ultimately resulting in a Jacksonville Power Play. Orlando would get the penalty kill, with Halvereson saving a shot just shy of the line. Orlando would gain full strength and try to get ahead of the Icemen. However, Orlando’s Darik Angeli would collide with Jacksonville goal Matt Vernon, pushing Vernon into the goal. Angeli would get two minutes for goaltender interference, giving Jacksonville another power play at 10:15. Jacksonville would take advantage of this power play with Matheson Iacopelli hitting a wrist shot from the face-off circle past Halverson, assisted by Ivan Chularoov and Christopher Brown at 11:40.
Things would continue to heat up between the two teams as Orlando Tyler Bird would receive a two-minute penalty for roughing. Jacksonville’s Derek Lodermeir would receive a double minor penalty for roughing. Orlando would get the advantage and have the power play. But Orlando’s Dario Angeli would get another penalty for goaltender interference for the second time tonight, ending the first period with a 4 v 4.
The second period did not disappoint the crowd. The Icemen power play was quickly over, starting the second. But Jacksonville would soon be able to capitalize on another power play after Orlando player Kelly Bent got two minutes for elbowing. It would be Mathewson Iacopelli who would add another point to the board. As he hits another wrist shot parallel to the goal and off of Halverson. Iacopelli would get his second of the night at 7:19 into the period. Icemen Garrett Cockerill would want a piece of the action as he scores a wrist shot from the hash marks at 9:45. The Icemen would take an early 3 – 0 lead halfway through the game. Orlando would not back down as Orlando Tyler Bird would get the short-handed goal 18:58 into the period.
The third period would start like a game of pinball. Both teams kept sending the puck off the boards. But nobody seemed to maintain control. Late in the third, Orlando would pull their goal, Brandon Halverson, to try and take advantage to close the gap between the two teams. But Jacksonville would be the one to take advantage as Icemen Craig Martin would get the empty net goal just 12 seconds after Orlando pulled Halverson. Jacksonville would later get the power play as Orlando players would get two minutes for slashing and 10 minutes for inciting with a minute left to go. Matheson Iacopelli would get a hat trick at 19:59, scoring a wrist shot from the top of the hash marks. The fans would roar as they saw the unexpected last-second goal.
The Icemen would break their three-game losing streak and add another win to the column. The Icemen will be on the road for their next match-up against the Florida Everglades, on Wednesday, March 6th. The Icemen will be back at home, on March 15th, against the Everglades at 7 pm.
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