REED: JACKSONVILLE IN THE ECHL PLAYOFFS
BY: Alex Reed, Jacksonville Icemen
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack along with Mayor Lenny Curry officially announced the opening of the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Bold City Tattoo. The announcement came at a press conference held at City Hall. In addition, Mayor Curry announced that he will once again grow a playoff beard to show his support for the Icemen during their playoff run.
The Icemen have clinched a spot in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs and will face either the Florida Everblades or Atlanta Gladiators in the South Division Semi-Finals beginning next week.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
The Icemen are currently celebrating their fifth anniversary season and the team hosted the 2022 Warrior ECHL All-Star Classic in January which was televised across the world on the NHL Network. In addition, the Icemen have set new attendance records in overall and average attendance. With one more regular season home game remaining this Saturday, the Icemen are averaging a club record 6,333 fans per game and have hosted a record 221,660 fans at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena this season.
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Nick Luukko, the Icemen have also set several milestones and records on the ice as well. With one more game remaining on Saturday, the Icemen have already set a new club record for wins (39) and points (83). In December, the team posted a club record nine-game winning streak. Jacksonville is also one of the top defensive teams in the ECHL, as the team leads in goals allowed per game (2.59) and for shots allowed per game (26.21).
On Wednesday, forward Craig Martin tied the club record for most points scored in a season with 60. If Martin can record a point in this Saturday’s game with Orlando, Martin will set a new single-season record for scoring, passing former Icemen star Wacey Rabbit. Additionally, goaltender Francois Brassard was named to the All-ECHL First Team, and Brassard holds the top goals-against average in the league at 2.23.
REACTION
“We are incredibly proud of what our staff, players and coaches have accomplished this season,” said Icemen CEO Andy Kauffmann. “As we head into the Kelly Cup Playoffs, we hope the best is still to come! It has been a record-breaking season, we hosted an All-Star Game and with the Community First Igloo on the horizon, we are very excited about the future. In the coming weeks we are looking forward to enjoy all of the exciting playoff hockey with our fans and sponsors.”
The Icemen have announced an official hashtag for the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The team will use #WeAreBold to honor Jacksonville as being known as the “The Bold City.”The Icemen close out the regular season this Saturday against the Orlando Solar Bears at Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:00 p.m. There are a limited number of tickets available for the game. Tickets may be purchased on Ticketmaster, or call the Icemen office at 904-602-7825.
Fans may also catch the game online at mixlr.com/jaxicemen and at FloHockey.TV
#WeAreBold
