GREENVILLE, SC – Goaltender Angus Redmond made 29 saves to help pace the Jacksonville Icemen to a 2-1 road victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the Bons Secours Wellness Arena Thursday evening. With the win, the Icemen (74 pts) bring their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to five.
It took the Swamp Rabbits less than two minutes to grab the game’s first goal. Jacksonville goaltender Redmond attempted to pass the puck to a teammate, but the puck was intercepted by Kamerin Nault who then skated to the top of the crease with the puck. Nault angled a shot from close range high into the net to put Greenville in front 1-0.
The Icemen evened the game on the power play at 7:45 of the opening frame. Kris Newbury hurled a shot from the right wing circle which was redirected past goaltender Garrett Bartus by David Broll at the top of the crease.
Jacksonville outshot the Swamp Rabbits 16-8 in the second period and received some stellar goaltending by Redmond to keep the game tied at 1-1. However, the Icemen seized the lead late in the period following a Greenville turnover at their own blue line.
Newbury recovered the puck and skated to just inside the right wing circle. Newbury patiently waited for Cameron Critchlow to join the rush and fed him a pass across the slot. Critchlow deked the backhand and slid the puck through the five-hole of Bartus for the goal. The Icemen took the 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
The Swamp Rabbits unleashed relentless pressure in the third, outshooting the Icemen 15-7 in the period. Goaltender Redmond refused to allow the tying goal and turned aside everything Greenville threw his way to secure the 2-1 Icemen Victory.
Redmond earns his second win the Icemen making 28 saves on 29 shots, while Bartus takes the loss despite a sound effort, allowing two goals on 33 shots.
The Icemen will now return home for a key two-game home set against the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday and Saturday.
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