ECHL South Division Semifinals – Game 2 Recap: Jacksonville Icemen vs Florida Everblades

South Division Semifinals – Game 2

Final: Florida 2, Jacksonville 1 (OT)
Series: Florida leads 2-0

The Florida Everblades took a commanding 2-0 series lead Saturday night with a 2-1 overtime win over the Jacksonville Icemen in Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals. For the second straight game, the contest required extra time—and once again, it was Florida who found the finish.

First Period – Goaltenders Set the Tone

Both teams came out measured and physical in a penalty-filled first period. Jacksonville’s Justin McRae and Florida’s Craig Needham dropped the gloves at 7:45 in a spirited fight. Shortly after, Colin Theisen was called for cross-checking and Andrew Fyten took a tripping penalty, but the Icemen failed to convert.

Jacksonville’s Christopher Brown was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking at 14:27, giving Florida a prime opportunity, but the Icemen penalty kill and goaltender Justen Close stood tall. The period ended with neither team finding the back of the net.

Score: 0-0
Shots on Goal: Florida 10, Jacksonville 4
Power Plays: Florida 0/3, Jacksonville 0/2
Penalties: Florida 3, Jacksonville 3

Second Period – Gicewicz Opens the Scoring

Florida finally broke through midway through the second period. On their fourth power play of the night, it was Carson Gicewicz that opened the scoring at 6:39, finishing a slick feed from Oliver Chau with Cole Moberg also earning an assist.

GOAL (6:39): Carson Gicewicz (FLA) – Power Play, assisted by Oliver Chau and Cole Moberg

Florida continued to pressure, but Justen Close turned away 11 shots in the frame to keep the Icemen within striking distance. The period saw more penalties—Kyle Betts for high-sticking, Brayden Hislop for holding the stick, Ivan Chukarov for hooking, and Logan Cockerill for roughing—but neither side found the net again.

Score: Florida 1, Jacksonville 0
Shots on Goal: Florida 11, Jacksonville 8
Power Plays: Florida 1/3, Jacksonville 0/2
Penalties: Florida 2, Jacksonville 3

Third Period – Lodermeier Goes Short-Handed

Florida opened the third period on the power play, but the momentum shifted quickly. Just after a faceoff, Jacksonville captain Derek Lodermeier took a feed near the net from Olivier Nadeau and snapped a clean shot past Cam Johnson, tying the game 1-1 at 5:03 with a shorthanded strike.

GOAL (5:03): Derek Lodermeier (JAX) – Shorthanded, assisted by Olivier Nadeau

The Everblades outshot the Icemen10–12 in the third, but both Cam Johnson and Close remained sharp. Despite a late cross-checking penalty on Logan Cockerill, the game stayed knotted and headed to overtime for the second straight night.

Score: 1-1
Shots on Goal: Jacksonville 12, Florida 10
Power Plays: Florida 0/1, Jacksonville 0/0
Penalties: Florida 1, Jacksonville 1

Overtime – Fyten Ends It Again for Florida

The Everblades wasted little time in the extra frame. At 3:36 of overtime, Andrew Fyten found the rebound off the shot by Logan Lambdin and buried the puck home past Close for the game-winner, sending Hertz Arena into celebration.

GOAL (63:36): Andrew Fyten (FLA) – Overtime, assisted by Logan Lambdin

Score: Florida 1, Jacksonville 0
Shots on Goal: Florida 3, Jacksonville 0
Power Plays: None
Penalties: None

Final Game Stats

Final Score: Florida 2, Jacksonville 1 (OT)
Total Shots: Florida 34, Jacksonville 24
Power Plays: Florida 1/6, Jacksonville 0/4
Penalty Minutes: Florida – 13, Jacksonville – 17

Goaltending Matchup

Three Stars of the Game

1. Andrew Fyten (FLA) – OT game-winner
2. Cam Johnson (FLA) – 23 saves, solid under pressure
3. Justen Close (JAX) – 32 saves, stellar in defeat

Up Next – Game 3 in Jacksonville

The series now shifts north for Game 3 on Wednesday, April 23. The Everblades carry a 2-0 lead and all the momentum, while the Icemen return home needing a win to stay within striking distance. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.