The Jacksonville Icemen hosted two home games this week. They faced the Florida Everblades on Friday, March 15th, at 7 pm. They also faced the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Sunday, March 17th, at 3 pm. The Icemen would go 2 – 0 over the weekend.
The Icemen hosted the Florida Everblades for Wizard Night on Friday, March 15th. Eight minutes into the first period, Noah Laaouan made his Jacksonville debut, scoring the first goal of the night. Derek Lodermeier gave a no-look pass between his legs to Laaouan, who put the wrist shot away. Later in the first period, Derek Lodermeier capitalized on a rebound, putting the Icemen up 2-0 after one.
Greenville would look to gain on the Icemen going into the second. Three minutes in, Florida Everblades Logan Lambdin was sitting back door and was able to get the puck past Matt Vernon. Penalties would begin to be called during the second period. Everblade, Will Reilly would be called for roughing at 4:23. At 12:06, Dominick Mersch would be called for interference. Finally, tensions would boil for Icemen Craig Martin and Florida Sean Josling as they would end up fighting and getting a five-minute major penalty. Even with the multiple penalties being called, the Icemen would look to pull further away from Florida. Brendan Harris would put the one-timer away past Even Cormier at 19:03, giving Jacksonville the 3-1 lead.
Florida’s Mark Senden would get the breakaway, scoring the unassisted goal to put Florida one behind the Icemen. But Luc Brown would respond, putting the wrist shot to the back of the net at 17:41. The Icemen would win the game 4 – 2. The Icemen would look to continue their luck, as they would face the divisional leader, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, at home on Sunday.
Sunday, March 17th, Greenville and Icemen would face off for a St. Patrick’s Day and Paws and Puck night. With both teams being one and two in the Southern Division, Fans knew the game would present high stakes. The first period between the two teams was fast-paced. Both teams were playing strong defense and giving hard checks into all areas of the glass. But it would be Jacksonville who were able to put a point on the board. Chris Grando collected the rebound goal, giving Jacksonville the lead 1 – 0 about midway through the first. After much back and forth, Greenville #9, Brett Kemp would get penalized for holding the stick at 17:27, giving Jacksonville the power play. But Greenville would get the penalty kill. Ending the period 1 – 0, with Jacksonville on top.
Both teams left the second period at a standstill. The Icemen had multiple opportunities to score, including a missed breakaway. The Icemen were dominating the puck in the last minute of the period. They took more than four shots on Greenville’s Jacob Ingham. But both teams are playing an impressive defensive game. Both the Icemen and Greenville were held to under ten shots during the period. The Icemen had nine, while Greenville was held on seven shots.
The third period they were continued similarly to the second. Both teams were continuing to play strong defense. 5:06 into the third period, Greenville’s Max Coyle would be called for a 5-minute major for injury as he hit Jacksonville’s Craig Martin with an elbow to the face. Coyle would also be sent to the showers and would not be returning to the game due to the penalty. The Icemen would receive a five-minute power play. The Swamp Rabbits would get the penalty kill. After much back and forth, Jacksonville’s Logan Cockerill would get a two-minute penalty for slashing at 17:04. The Swamp Rabbits would pull their goalie Jacob Ingham to give themselves the 6 v 4 advantage with a minute and 50 left on the clock. The Swamp Rabbits would call a time-out with 1:42 left in the game and 46 seconds left on the power play. The Icemen would get the penalty kill and go back to full strength with under a minute left. Even with the 6 v 5, the Icemen would hold the Swamp Rabbits and grab the win 1 – 0.
The Jacksonville Icemen will face off at home on Wednesday, March 20th, vs the Trois-Rivières Lions at 7 pm. Following that, the Icemen will host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits again on Friday, March 22nd, and Saturday, March 23rd. Both games are at 7 pm.
