JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire) – Matt Vernon stopped 33- of 34 shots, while Riley Fiddler-Schultz netted the game-winner to lift the Jacksonville Icemen to a 2-1 victory over the Florida Everblades Friday night at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. The next night the Icemen ignited for four third period goals to defeat the Savannah Ghost Pirates. The Icemen closed out the four-game week with a 3-1-0 record.
Vernon is the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Nov. 20-26. Vernon went 2-0-0 with a 0.96 goals-against average and a save percentage of .966 in two appearances last week.
After 40 minutes of competitive, but scoreless hockey, things opened up for the Icemen in the third period. Nearly five minutes into the third, Dominick Mersch led a 2-on-1 rush into zone and delivered a hard shot on goal that was initially stopped by Savannah goaltender Kaden Fulcher. However, the rebound jumped to Chris Grando who flipped the puck high into the net for the game’s first tally.
Just 25 seconds later, the Icemen scored again, this time a Brandon Fortunato shot sailed high and the puck deflected sharply off the back glass and directly to Craig Martin on backside of the net. Martin instantly tapped it into the open net to make it a 2-0 Jacksonville lead.
Later in the third, the Icemen kept rolling as Ivan Chukarov hammered a shot that hit off a Savannah defender in front that caused the puck to redirect and make its way into the Savannah net to put the scoring at 3-0.
Savannah did get on the board with five minutes remaining in regulation, as Simon Pinard’s shot in front was halted by Icemen netminder Michael Houser, but the rebound was immediately lifted home by Elijah Vilio to pull the Ghost Pirates within two.
Moments later, Savannah would pull the goaltender to allow for the extra attacker, but Garrett Van Wyhe would take off on a breakaway with the puck and he slid it into the empty net to seal a 4-1 victory for Jacksonville.
Icemen struck first about six minutes into the contest, when the Everblades turned the puck over in their own end. Jacob Panetta collected the puck and skated toward the net. After a couple of deke moves, Panetta slipped backhanded shot on the short side past goaltender Cam Johnson.
Later in the first, Icemen forward Craig Martin was awarded a penalty shot. After several deke moves of his own, Martin was able to create some space for a shot, but Johnson fended it off with the blocker.
In the second period, the Everblades tied it up at one after applying pressure in the offensive zone. Cole Moberg delivered a pass to the top of the crease that was redirected in by Olivier Chau in front for the tying goal.
The Icemen were outshot 9-2 in the third period, but Icemen netminder Matt Vernon turned them all aside to cap off a stellar night in goal. Vernon’s play helped the Icemen reach overtime.
In the extra session, Florida was called for a penalty. The Icemen got the extra attacker on the ice during the delayed penalty, and Riley Fiddler-Schultz led an odd-man rush into the zone and called his own number, firing a wrist shot that ripped into the net for the game-winner.
The Icemen continue their homestand next week with a trio of games on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Jacksonville plays host to Orlando on Wednesday and Friday, while entertaining the Trois-Rivieres Lions in the Annual Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, Dec, 2. Game times are set for 7 p.m.
STINGRAYS SIGN KAMERON KIELLY
The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and AHL’s Hershey Bears, have signed forward Kameron Kielly to an ECHL contract for the 2023-24 season Kielly, 24, returns to the ECHL after beginning the 2023-24 campaign overseas with the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL. Kielly joins Kevin O’Neil and Jack Adams as the third righty forward on South Carolina’s active roster. “Kameron brings a lot to the table for us,” said Stingrays Head Coach Brenden Kotyk. “He’s a good skater and makes good decisions with the puck. He is a righty who can play center or wing, and that’s very valuable for us. We’re really excited to add him to our group.”
(Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher/Florida Sports Wire)