PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Appleby, Icemen blank Gladiators

JACKSONVILLE, FLA – Ken Appleby stopped all 26 shots faced to guide the Jacksonville Icemen to a 2-0 shutout victory over the Atlanta Gladiators at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Wednesday, February 27th.

Both teams skated hard and took part in a competitive, but scoreless first 20 minutes of play. However, it took just 54 seconds into the second period to break up the scoreless tie. Jacksonville’s Jack Glover delivered the puck behind the to net to Kris Newbury. Newbury immediately redirected the puck between his legs to David Broll at the left wing circle. Broll then launched a wrist shot that beat Atlanta goaltender Sean Bonar to give the Icemen a 1-0 edge.

Jacksonville extended its lead with just under two seconds remaining in the middle frame on a goal by Everett Clark. Some late period hustle paid off, as Cameron Critchlow won a possession battle along the boards and handed the puck off to Clark who skated to the slot and wristed a shot low into the Atlanta net. Clark’s ninth goal of the season have the Icemen at 2-0 lead at the second break.

The Icemen would go on to close out the game with some hard work, sound penalty killing and stellar goaltending from Appleby who stopped all 26 shots faced in the contest. Appleby recorded his first shutout of the season and the eighth of his professional career. Atlanta’s Bonar took the loss, allowing two goals on 30 shots faced.

The Icemen will play host to the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday, March 1st at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.