After four straight losses on home ice, the Jacksonville Icemen set out for a quick trip up the road to Atlanta, Georgia, to take on the Atlanta Gladiators. A change of venue may have been exactly what the team needed to help shake the slump that November’s caught them in, as the team picked up a 3-1 win Tuesday evening. It also helps that the team received two players back from the Rochester Americans, with captain Christopher Brown and top-scoring rookie Riley Fidler-Schultz returning to Jacksonville.
There’s roster moves and a road win to recap in this week’s edition of Icemen: Frostbites.
Scorecard Snapshot:
@ Atlanta Gladiators 11/21 – 3-1 W
The Icemen wasted no time to get on the scoreboard Tuesday night as Brendan Harris scored his sixth goal of the season just 1:15 into the first period. Brandon Fortunato and Craig Martin picked up the assists on the goal, but it wouldn’t be the only time Harris and Martin connected for a tally in the first twenty minutes of action. In just his second game back in the lineup, Martin notched his second point of the evening with a goal coming 12 minutes into the period. Martin’s goal was his first of the season and was assisted by Brendan Harris and Christopher Brown. Brown’s assist is also his first point back after returning to the Jacksonville roster following a call-up to the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
The Glads registered a goal of their own in the first period. Forward Alex Whelan got the 2-1 marker with 2:21 remaining in the period.
The second period was a scoreless period for both teams, but the Icemen tacked on the third and final goal in the last period of play. The 3-1 goal was the third time Brendan Harris and Craig Martin linked up for a scoring opportunity, as Harris put the biscuit in the basket late into the final frame. Harris’ third-period goal was also the Icemen’s second powerplay goal of the night.
Guess Who’s Back:
The Icemen have three players that recently returned to the roster. Captain Christopher Brown, rookie Riley Fidler-Schultz, and forward Craig Martin are all back on the active roster. Christopher Brown returns to Jacksonville after a three-game stint in the AHL. Brown registered one point in his Rochester excursion, scoring a single goal.
Rookie forward Riley Fidler-Schultz also made his reintroduction into the Icemen lineup on Tuesday. Like Brown, RFS is returning to the team after an early season call-up to Rochester. Fiddler-Schultz appeared in four games for the Americans, also recording one point (1g) during his stint.
Tuesday night’s game with the Gladiators was forward Craig Martin’s second appearance in an Icemen uniform this season. Martin was on the IR list to start the season and returned to the lineup for Saturday night’s match-up with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. After a quick adjustment game, it seems as if Martin has integrated seamlessly back into the starting mix. The forward posted three points (1g, 2a) in his return to action Tuesday night.
Notes From the Road:
Forward Nick Isaacson has been traded to the Cincinnati Cyclones. The transaction amongst the teams took place on Monday. Isaacson played in a pair of games last season for Jacksonville and appeared in five games to start the season with the team, where he registered two points (1g, 1a).
Where the Icemen have excelled in five-on-five, even strength hockey, the team has struggled to perform up to standard on special teams. Tuesday night’s game in Atlanta was a step in the right direction, with the Icemen going 2-for-4 on the powerplay and holding the Gladiators scoreless on the penalty kill. The two powerplay goals were big factors in the 3-1 win over Atlanta Tuesday night, and it will be a trend the team will want to continue moving forward.
The Icemen return home to take on the South Carolina Stingrays this evening at VyStar Memorial Arena. The game is the first game in a run of four that takes place at home to close out the month.
