The Jacksonville Icemen defeated the Atlanta Gladiators 4-3 in overtime Saturday night on Halloween at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. Colby Ambrosio scored the winning goal, while Jacques Bouquot added two goals and Tim Heinke also scored for Jacksonville. Michael Bullion made 23 saves in the victory.
The win gave Jacksonville back-to-back victories for the first time this season. The Icemen finished October with a 2-2-2 record and have now played four post-regulation games in their last five contests. Jacksonville will host the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.
Bouquot, Heinke help Jacksonville build lead
Jacksonville opened the scoring on its first power play of the game. Tanner Kelly gained the zone and sent a cross-ice pass to Jacques Bouquot, who scored from the left-wing circle. Atlanta answered with a late power-play goal to tie the game 1-1.
The Gladiators applied pressure early in the second period, but Bullion kept Jacksonville within reach. Kyle Bettens sent a shot toward the net that Atlanta goaltender Ethan Haider stopped, but the rebound stayed in the crease. Heinke reached the loose puck and scored to put the Icemen ahead 2-1.
Jesse Tucker then won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Bouquot. Bouquot scored on a one-timer for his second goal of the game and gave Jacksonville a 3-1 lead. Atlanta later cut the deficit with a power-play goal that stood after a lengthy review.
Atlanta forces overtime
Jacksonville protected its lead through an early third-period penalty kill. The Gladiators pulled their goaltender late and tied the game 3-3 with 48 seconds remaining in regulation. The tying goal sent the Icemen to overtime for the second time that weekend.
Bullion made three critical saves early in the extra period to keep the game tied. Ambrosio then carried the puck up the ice and passed to Drew Kuzma, who returned the puck as Ambrosio moved toward the net. Ambrosio scored past the Atlanta netminder on the blocker side for his second goal of the season.
FSB Take
Jacksonville’s victory ended October with a 2-2-2 record and delivered the team’s first back-to-back wins of the season. Bouquot’s two goals, Heinke’s second-period finish and Bullion’s overtime saves gave the Icemen several contributors in a game Atlanta tied late. Ambrosio’s goal secured the result before Jacksonville’s Tuesday morning home game against Savannah.
Source: Original report