The Icemen outlast the Glads 3-1; Atlanta looks to rebound during their 4-game/5-day stretch
Preview: Jacksonville Icemen (4-5-2, 10 points/12th place) vs Atlanta Gladiators (8-3-0, 16 points/3rd place)
Tonight's game (November 21, 2023) marks the start of the Atlanta Gladiators playing 4 games over the next 5 games.
The visiting Jacksonville Icemen are looking to get to the .500 mark as they are only 2 points out of last place in the ECHL. Top 2 scorers Matheson Iacopelli (the right winger has 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 total points) and center Brendan Harris (5 goals and 4 assists for 9 total points) are expected to pace the offense. Goalie Mali Vernon (2-2, 3.05 GAA/0.899 Save %) is expected to slow down the Atlanta offense (as they enter tonight's game with 43 goals in 11 games, scoring nearly 4 goals per game).
To counter the Icemen offensive attach, Gustavs Grigals (4-1 with a shoutout, along with a 2.20 GAA/0.941 Save %) is between the pipes as Jacksonville's offense is averaging 3.0 goals per game (33 goals in 11 games). Leading scorers Mitchell Fossier (the left winger has 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 total points) and right wing Alex Whelan (7 goals and 4 assists for 11 total points) look to provide pressure on the Icemen defensive unit.
Prior to game, both defensiveman Zach Yoder (from Woodstock, GA) and Mitchell (Mitch) Fossier (from Alpharetta, GA) take time to speak with us pregame. Both not only note the importance of the team chemistry along with the constant work on their individual games which are key factors to the team's solid start.
Game highlights: Jacksonville's performance on the power play propels them to a 3-1 win over the Gladiators
Jacksonville would get an early jump in the scoring column in the 1st period (1:15) as Brendan Harris' 6th goal of the season gives them an early 1-0 lead (assisted by Brandon Fortunato and Craig Martin). They would add a goal on the power play (12:11) thanks to Craig Martin's 1st goal of the year (assisted by Brendan Harris and Christopher Brown).
However, the Gladiators would get on the scoreboard (17:39) thanks to Alex Whelan's 8th goal of the year (assisted by Mitch Fossier and Carson Gicewicz), getting them within a 2-1 margin.
The second period would see the Icemen maintain their shots on goal advantage (22-17 after 2 periods). Despite a late power play opportunity for the Gladiators, the score remains deadlocked at 2-1 in favor of Jacksonville.
The 3rd period continues with a blend of solid defense and goaltending (Tyler Harmon would enter the game at goaltender for the Gladiators early in the 3rd period), along with some chippiness between the teams.
Inside of 2 minutes left in the period and game (18:40), Jacksonville would convert on a 2 on 1 opportunity to take a 3-1 lead on Brendan Harris' 2nd goal of the game (7th of the season with assisted by Craig Martin).
Jacksonville's overall edge in shots on goal (33 to 25) along with their performance on the power play (2 for 4 compared to 0 for 3 for Atlanta) play a role in their win over the Gladiators. Goaltender Mali Vernon's performance (who stops 24 of 25 shots) tips the scales in favor of the Icemen despite the efforts of Gustavs Grigals (who takes the loss as he stops 24 of 26 shots) and Tyler Harmon (who makes 6 saves in 7 chances).
Dropping to 8-4 overall, the Gladiators look to bounce back on November 22nd at 7pm (Gas South District) to host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
Notes: All video is recorded by Andrew Snorton via @asnortonccs on Instagram (click HERE). Photos are provided by EmoryRose Photography (click HERE to visit their Instagram). For the 2023-24 season playlist, you may watch and subscribe (click HERE).
