ECHL: Everblades Too Much for Jacksonville Icemen in Season Opener

ESTERO, Fla. — The 33rd ECHL season got underway Friday night as the battle-tested Florida Everblades beat the Jacksonville Icemen, 6-1 before 3,430.

Florida came into the contest with two exhibition games under their belts.
The Everblades struck first with two goals in the first period by veteran John McCarron and Lucas Craggs. Craggs picked up the assist on McCarron’s tally.

Alex Kile and Joe Pendenza got the assists on Craggs’ goal that made it 2-0.
Jacksonville cut the deficit in half in the second period on Luke Shiplo’s wrap-around goal. Wacey Rabbit got the assist.

The home team regained a two goal advantage when Myles Powell scored on Kyle Keyser assisted by Ben Masella. Masella finished the night with two assists.

Then the onsluaght was on.

Back to back goals by Patrick Harper and Craggs built a four-goal lead. Kile made it 6-1 with an assist by Tanner Jeann.

Keyser made 27 saves. Cam Johnson stopped all but one of 28 shots for Florida.

Jacksonville was 0 for 9 on the power play in a penalty riddled game. Florida was 1 for 5. Over 92 minutes of penalties were called.

The Icemen host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Saturday night in their home opener. Puck drops at 7 p.m.