The Jacksonville Icemen defeated the Savannah Ghost Pirates 3-2 in overtime at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Jacques Bouquot scored the winning goal, and Cameron Rowe made 29 saves for Jacksonville. The victory moved the Icemen to 3-2-2, while Savannah fell to 2-4-1.
Bennett McArthur and Joey Berkopec also scored for Jacksonville. McArthur recorded his first goal of the season, and Bouquot scored his third goal in two games. The Icemen have won three consecutive overtime games, including two at home.
Jacksonville takes early control
Jacksonville forward Drew Kuzma and Savannah forward Max Dorrington fought after the opening faceoff. The Icemen then opened the scoring when defenseman Trevor Griebel kept a Savannah clearing attempt in the zone and passed to McArthur. McArthur one-timed the puck past Savannah goaltender Christian Cicigoi to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead.
More than 10,000 schoolchildren attended the game, and Jacksonville added to its advantage later in the first period. After an offensive-zone draw, Joey Berkopec fired a shot past Cicigoi to make it 2-0. Savannah created pressure late in the period, but Rowe and the Icemen defense preserved the two-goal lead.
Savannah rallies in the third period
The Ghost Pirates out-shot Jacksonville 13-7 in the second period while generating pressure through power plays and aggressive forechecking. Both goaltenders made high-quality saves, keeping the Icemen ahead by two goals. Savannah then out-shot Jacksonville 8-5 in the third period.
Savannah tied the game with two goals less than two minutes apart in the third period. The rally sent the teams to overtime for the third consecutive game involving Jacksonville. The result also marked the second time during that run that the Icemen reached overtime at home.
Bouquot delivers in overtime
Jacksonville created the winning chance in three-on-three overtime through Colby Ambrosio, who received a feed from Jadan Condotta. Ambrosio used a spin move to evade a defender before moving toward the slot and passing to Bouquot near the base of the right-wing circle. Bouquot scored on a short-angle one-timer to give the Icemen the victory.
The goal completed Jacksonville’s third consecutive overtime win and Bouquot’s third goal in two games. Rowe’s 29-save performance helped the Icemen withstand Savannah’s pressure through the final two periods. Jacksonville will remain at home for a three-game set against the defending Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades beginning Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m.
FSB Take
Jacksonville’s overtime execution has directly produced three consecutive victories. The Icemen overcame Savannah’s two-goal third-period rally and converted their three-on-three opportunity through Ambrosio, Condotta and Bouquot. At 3-2-2, Jacksonville now carries that overtime run into its three-game set against the Florida Everblades.
Source: Original report