JACKSONVILLE, FLA – Adam Carlson made 31 saves to help pace the Jacksonville Icemen to a 3-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears in front of a sold out crowd of 8.967 at Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday, January 18th.
After a scoreless first period, the Icemen grabbed the game’s first goal by scoring their first shorthanded goal of the season. Pierre-Luc Mercier, who started the season with the Solar Bears, blocked an Orlando shot from the point, sending the puck rolling out to center ice. Mercier raced to collect the puck to set up a breakaway opportunity. Mercier made several deke moves before flipping a backhanded shot over an outstretched Clint Windsor for the goal.
Mercier’s goal broke a shutout sequence by Clint Windsor against the Icemen of 154:35 that spanned over four games.
Jacksonville carried the 1-0 lead into second break and added to their lead just 53 seconds into the second period. Alexis D’Aoust collected the puck in the corner and made a strong play to the crease. D’Aoust outpaced the Orlando defense and stuffed the puck past Windsor to put the Icemen in front 2-0.
The two-goal edge did not last long, as eleven seconds later, the Solar Bears countered with their first goal of the game to pull within one. Tristan Langan skated down the right wing and snapped a shot that was initially stopped by Icemen goaltender Carlson, but the rebound bounced to Taylor Cammarata who pushed the puck into the net for the tally.
Carlson and the Icemen held off the Orlando attack for a majority of the period. Orlando received a power play opportunity with 2:11 remaining in regulation. Orlando pulled Windsor to create a 6-on-4 situation. However, it was then that Icemen took advantage as Emerson Clark scored a shorthanded, empty-net goal to secure the 3-1 victory.
The Icemen will have a few days for the ECHL All-Star Break before battling the Solar Bears at the Amway Center on Thursday January 23. The next opportunity for fans to catch the Icemen on home ice will be January 30th & 31st against the Fort Wayne Komets.
Text courtesy of Jacksonville Icemen
Contact the photojournalist at trina.kirk@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.