The Jacksonville Icemen lost 7-4 to the Savannah Ghost Pirates in preseason action Friday night at the Community First Igloo. Colby Ambrosio, Jacques Bouquot, Bennett MacArthur and Brandon Yeamans scored for Jacksonville. Savannah took control with two late second-period goals and carried a 6-3 lead into the third period.
Savannah Takes the First-Period Lead
The Savannah Ghost Pirates led 1-0 after the opening period. The Jacksonville Icemen were outshot 15-9 as Savannah kept play in Jacksonville’s zone for long stretches. Jacksonville also created several scoring chances by using its speed.
Eight Goals in the Second Period
Colby Ambrosio tied the game 1-1 just over three minutes into the second period. Ambrosio intercepted a pass in the high slot and scored to bring Jacksonville even. Savannah answered with two goals in less than a minute to take a 3-1 lead.
Jacksonville responded on its first power play when Jacques Bouquot deflected a point shot from Trevor Griebel to cut the deficit to 3-2. Savannah restored its two-goal advantage midway through the period, but Bennett MacArthur brought the Icemen within one again. MacArthur deflected a blue-line shot from Jaden Condotta to make the score 4-3.
The Ghost Pirates scored twice late in the period, with one goal coming on the power play and the other at even strength. The goals came just over two minutes apart. Savannah took a 6-3 lead into the third period.
Yeamans Cuts the Deficit
Jacksonville cut Savannah’s lead to 6-4 after Ashton Stockie sent a lead pass to Brandon Yeamans. Yeamans carried the puck out of his own zone, helped create a two-on-one rush and entered the offensive zone. He used a head fake before firing a low shot past Savannah netminder Tyler Muszelik.
The Icemen carried momentum for a stretch after the goal but could not capitalize on a follow-up power play. Liam McLinskey then scored his third goal to complete Savannah’s 7-4 victory. The loss ended Jacksonville’s preseason action at the Community First Igloo.
What Comes Next
The Jacksonville Icemen will prepare for opening night on Friday, October 16, with the faceoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Jacksonville will then visit the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Saturday, October 17. That game also is scheduled for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
FSB Take
Jacksonville received goals from four players and answered Savannah’s early second-period surge twice. However, the Ghost Pirates’ two late second-period goals created a three-goal deficit that the Icemen could not overcome. Jacksonville now turns to opening night before visiting Savannah the following day.
Source: Original report