Venue: Gas South Arena
Date: Friday and Saturday Night, November 22-23, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM EST (Friday); 7:00 PM EST (Saturday)
TV: FloSports
Jacksonville: Jacksonville Icemen Broadcast Network
Atlanta: Atlanta Gladiators Broadcast Network
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
Special Events:
Saturday Night – 80’s Night: Hockey fans, get ready to cheer on your favorite “Wild Boys” with our 80’s Night on November 23! As Dr. Emmett Brown said in Back to the Future, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”—just a rink and our favorite hockey players.
Current Standings:
Jacksonville Icemen (6-3-1) at Atlanta Gladiators (4-8-2)
The Icemen are coming off a strong performance, having shut out the Adirondack Thunder 5-0 in their last game. This victory extended their winning streak to three games. The Gladiators, on the other hand, recently secured a 4-0 win against the Orlando Solar Bears, which ended their five-game losing streak.
Jacksonville’s Christopher Brown has been on a hot streak, accumulating seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in his last six games. The Icemen have been dominant recently, outscoring their opponents 13-3 during their three-game winning streak.
Atlanta’s goaltender Ethan Haider is now tied for the league lead with two shutouts after Tuesday’s win in Orlando, showcasing his strong performance in net. The Gladiators have shown resilience in the third period, scoring 11 of their 22 goals in the final frame.
Last Matchup Recap: Atlanta at Jacksonville
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Date: November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM EST
In their last matchup, Jacksonville defeated Atlanta 4-2. Atlanta took an early lead with a goal by Joey Cipollone, but Jacksonville tied it up in the second period with a goal from Justin McRae. The Icemen dominated the third period, scoring three goals, including two from Oliver Nadeau, to secure the victory. Despite Atlanta’s efforts, Jacksonville’s strong finish led to their win.
Jacksonville Icemen News & Notes:
The Jacksonville Icemen are currently in 4th place in the South Division with a record of 6-3-1-0, accumulating 13 points and a 0.650 points percentage. They have scored 34 goals and allowed 25 goals against. The Icemen have 181 penalty minutes, indicating a physical style of play. The team is on a three-game winning streak and has a 6-3-1-0 record in their last 10 games. Jacksonville has been strong at home with a 5-1-1-0 record but has struggled on the road with a 1-2-0-0 record.
Players to Watch – Jacksonville Icemen:
- Chris Brown: In his most recent game on November 20, 2024, against Adirondack, Brown had an impressive performance, scoring one goal and providing two assists, for a total of three points. His strong showing in this game highlights his offensive capabilities and importance to the Jacksonville Icemen. Brown has had a notable impact in games against Atlanta this season. On November 8, 2024, he scored a goal in the 5-0 shutout win against the Gladiators.
- Matt Vernon: The goaltender was stellar in the last game, stopping all 30 shots for his first shutout of the season.
- Justen Close: So far, Close has played in 4 games, securing 2 wins with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.291. He has faced 236 shots and allowed 9 goals. On November 8, 2024, Justen Close had an outstanding performance in the game between the Atlanta Gladiators and the Jacksonville Icemen. He stopped all 28 shots he faced, achieving a perfect save percentage of 100.0% over 60 minutes of play, resulting in a shutout.
- Brendan Harris: Notable for his shooting accuracy, Harris has a shooting percentage of 37.5%, making him a key player to watch.
Atlanta Gladiators News & Notes:
The Atlanta Gladiators are in 7th place in the South Division with a record of 4-8-2-0, accumulating 10 points and a 0.357 points percentage. They have scored 22 goals and allowed 39 goals against. The Gladiators have 127 penalty minutes, the lowest in the league to date. The team is on a one-game winning streak but has struggled recently with a 2-6-2-0 record in their last 10 games. Atlanta has a balanced home record of 2-2-1-0 but has found it challenging on the road with a 2-6-1-0 record.
Players to Watch – Atlanta Gladiators:
- Eric Neiley: Scored the opening goal and contributed significantly to the team’s success in the recent game against Orlando.
- Ethan Haider: Haider was outstanding earlier in the week, stopping all 33 shots for his second professional shutout. Ranked 13th among goaltenders with a 2.32 GAA and a .916 save percentage, Haider’s performance will be crucial if he is given the goaltending duties this evening.
- Drew DeRidder: DeRidder has played 5 games for the Gladiators, recording a 1.92 GAA (Goals Against Average) and making 125 saves. DeRidder made 32 saves on 35 shots in a recent game against the Jacksonville Icemen. Despite the loss, his performance was solid.
- Derek Topatigh: Scored his first goal of the season and added an assist, making him a key player to watch. He has recorded 5 power-play assists, highlighting his playmaking abilities on the power play.
- Andrew Jarvis: Jarvis has scored 2 goals in 12 games, making an impact on the scoreboard for Atlanta. His ability to find the net could be crucial in games like the one Atlanta may have with Jacksonville. Additionally, he’s not afraid to play a physical game, which can be important in tough matchups.
Special Teams Analysis:
The Jacksonville Icemen have demonstrated a physical style of play, which can be a double-edged sword. While their aggressive approach can disrupt opponents, it also puts significant pressure on their penalty kill unit. Despite this, Jacksonville has been efficient on the power play, which can be crucial in close games. Their ability to capitalize on power play opportunities and maintain a strong penalty kill will be essential in their upcoming matchups.
In contrast, the Atlanta Gladiators’ disciplined approach, reflected in their league-low penalty minutes, suggests a focus on minimizing penalties and maintaining control. This discipline has kept their penalty kill unit less burdened, allowing them to focus more on even-strength play. However, their power play performance will need to be effective to take advantage of the fewer opportunities they get. The Gladiators’ ability to stay out of the penalty box and capitalize on power play chances will be key to their success against the Icemen.
Jacksonville Icemen:
- Total PIM: 181
- Average PIM per Game: 18.10
- League Rank: 3rd highest in the league
- Breakdown: 53 minor penalties, 5 major penalties, 3 ten-minute misconducts
Atlanta Gladiators:
- Total PIM: 127
- Average PIM per Game: 9.07
- League Rank: Lowest in the league
- Breakdown: 56 minor penalties, 3 major penalties
In summary, the upcoming series between the Jacksonville Icemen and the Atlanta Gladiators promises to be intense and competitive. Jacksonville’s physical style of play, combined with their efficiency on the power play, will be key factors to watch. Players like Chris Brown for Jacksonville, and Derek Topatigh and Eric Neiley for Atlanta, will need to step up and deliver strong performances. As both teams look to capitalize on their strengths, these matchups are sure to provide exciting hockey action. Keep an eye on how each team manages their special teams and physical play, as these elements could be decisive.
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