By MIKE BONTS, Hockey Writer
JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Icemen (26-15-2-1) scored four times in the second period and skated past the Savannah Ghost Pirates (19-20-2) 7-2 Friday night at Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Icemen were coming off a 2-1 loss at Orlando.
Garrett Van Wyhe gave Jacksonville a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission. Connor Russell and Chris Grando pick up the assists,
The Icemen blew the game open in the second period. Brayden Hislop, Liam Coughlin, Grando, and Derek Lodermeier all tallied in the middle period.
Savannah’s Ross Armour spoiled Matt Vernon’s shutout bid with helpers from Nick Granowicz and Will Riedell.
Jacksonville a took a 5-1 advantage headed into the final stanza. The visitors Liam Walsh scored 38 seconds into the period.
Carter Allen’s power play goal and first of the season made it 6-2. Brody Crane made it 7-2 with his ninth goal of the season.
Vernon made 16 saves. Evan Cormier stopped 17 shots in net for the Ghost Pirates who dropped their sixth straight game.
The two clubs meet again Saturday in Savannah.
(Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher)