The Jacksonville Icemen were back to work on home ice this morning for the team’s annual “Field Trip game.” The Icemen took on the South Carolina Stingrays in a mid-morning matinee, getting the chance to put on a hockey display for the 14,076 (mostly) school-aged kids in attendance. Following a solid 3-0 start to the season, the Icemen ran into a sound performance from a South Carolina team that was able to slow down the Icemen’s momentum.
It’s time for the Icemen post-game recap.
The Rundown:
Both teams got off to a hot offensive start in the first period, with the Stingrays outshooting the Icemen 11-10. Jacksonville forward Matheson Iacopelli was the first goal scorer to break the ice, notching the first Icemen goal of the morning 12:40 into the period. Iacopelli’s goal, assisted by Derek Lodermeier, became his third goal in three straight games.
The Icemen lead wasn’t safe for long, as South Carolina responded just a few short moments later. Forward Josh Wilkins put the Stingrays on the board 13:43 into the first period, tying the game at 1-1. His tying tally was followed by a second Stingrays goal from forward Tyson Empey nearly three minutes later. The Stingrays would carry the 2-1 lead into the second period, becoming just the first time this season the Icemen have trailed at an intermission.
The quick offensive start would taper off in the remaining periods, though the Icemen outshot the Stingrays in the second when shots were nine to five. With just 17 seconds remaining in the second period, Jacksonville forward Anthony Petruzzelli added the second Icemen goal of the game. Like Matheson Iacopelli, Petruzzelli now has three goals in three straight games for the Icemen. His 2-2 goal would stick through the 3rd period, where neither team could find the ability to generate much offense and take the game into overtime.
The Icemen started the overtime period on the penalty kill, as Jacob Panetta took a tripping minor with just seconds to spare in the third period of regulation. Starting the period on a 4-on-3 proved fruitful for the Stingrays who, just 1:39 into extra time, scored the game winner. The overtime powerplay goal was scored by forward Patrick Harper and became the only powerplay goal the Icemen have given up so far this season.
Dark Magic:
Have you ever heard of the commentator’s curse? Say your team is up 3-0 with a shutout lingering, almost down the homestretch of the final minutes of the game when, inevitably, someone on the broadcast team says the word “shutout.” Without fail, moments later, the opposing team scores, and the wonderful notion of your goaltender having an immaculate performance for the night becomes just another lingering hockey fever dream. Well, there seems to be a spin-off of this phenomenon. Call it reporter’s voodoo, maybe.
Just yesterday, I published a piece that praised the team’s ability to neutralize opponents on the man advantage. This morning, the Icemen sacrificed their first powerplay goal… in overtime. Not only did it end their perfect PK streak, but it also ended the early run of wins the Icemen had going. The hockey gods work in punishing ways.
Voodoo or not, it was a tough break for an Icemen team that has played a shutdown penalty kill game. The Icemen did take more penalties against the Stingrays than any of their previous opponents this season, but only marginally, having to defend on the PK four times rather than the average three. In the wide scheme of things, it still is the only PPG the Icemen have given up so far. The heartbreak comes from the fact that, for now, it’s the most critical goal they have given up.
Subsequently, it also highlights the issues Jacksonville is having on the powerplay. With a powerplay conversion rate hanging out at 25%, statistically, one of the four powerplay chances the Icemen got should have resulted in a goal. This morning, the team went 0-for-4. There were plenty of chances to take advantage of the Stingray’s miscues, but Jacksonville failed to convert. It’s the first time this season Jacksonville has failed to register a powerplay marker, and it came in the contest that needed it most. A goal on any of those powerplay chances could have completely shifted the outcome of the game.
Again, I don’t believe there needs to be a drastic revision of the Icemen powerplay unit. Players have gotten some excellent looks offensively when armed with the extra man. Something as simple as finding new ways to cycle the puck through the offensive end or minor changes to offensive zone entries could make all the difference. The chances are there; the goals just aren’t.
Even if a total retooling of the powerplay units were to occur, the adjustment will need to happen fast. The Icemen have a full month of November ahead, and it continues with a visit to the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday night. Atlanta is currently 4-0 and sits #1 in the division and #2 in the league. They’re outscoring opposing teams by wide margins, scoring 23 goals while only allowing nine. The Gladiators penalty kill is also on par with the Icemen’s, with Atlanta 18/18 while short a skater. If any powerplay unit produces numbers against Atlanta, it won’t be a struggling one.
The Icemen are in Atlanta on Friday and will travel to Greenville to play the Swamp Rabbits on Saturday, November 4th. The team will return home on Wednesday, November 8th, to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
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