JACKSONVILLE, FLA – The Jacksonville Icemen rallied from a 3-0 deficit and scored six unanswered goals to take a 6-3 victory over the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday, May 8th afternoon at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Icemen got off to a slow start to begin the opening period. Wheeling’s Nick Rivera scored on the power play from a deflection in the slot to give the Nailers a one goal lead. Moments later, the Nailers were able to add to their lead as Austin Fyten scored on a breakaway and finished off his chance to give Wheeling a two-goal lead.
Five minutes later, Wheeling’s Jesse Lees scored on a back-handed shot in front to give his team a commanding three goal lead.
The Icemen then received their first powerplay of the game and took advantage. Defenseman Trevor Hamilton scored off of a Wheeling turnover on a wrist shot from the face-off circle to give Jacksonville some life.
Less than a minute later, Icemen forward Derek Lodermeier led a 2-on-1 rush and called his own number to get Jacksonville back within one goal 3-2.
The Icemen started off the second frame right where they left off. They had a lot of momentum in their favor and were gaining offensive chances. Christopher Brown continued his hot streak to tie the game up at three goals apiece at 7:53 of s middle frame.
Later in the period, Jacksonville received another power play opportunity. Brendan Gignac scored on a clean wrister from the face-off dot for to give the Icemen their first lead of the game at 4-3.
The Icemen opened the third period on the power play and they made it count. Icemen forward Nick Saracino was able to score a powerplay goal off a cross-crease pass to give the Icemen a two-goal lead, early in the third. Jacksonville buckled down defensively and Saracino sealed the deal for the Icemen with an empty-net goal to put the Icemen up by three goals. The Icemen went on to win the game 6-3 and finished with a 42-20 shots on goal advantage.
Trevor Hamilton finished the game with three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
Text courtesy of Jacksonville Icemen
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