GAME DAY: Everblades vs. Jacksonville - Jan. 26

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Everblades (29-8-5-0, 63 pts.) try to become the first team to 30 wins in the ECHL this season when they battle the Jacksonville Icemen (23-17-1-1, 48 pts.) on Saturday night in the middle game of three straight tilts between the two sides. 

VITALS:Game 43: Everblades at JacksonvilleWhen: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Veterans Memorial ArenaWatch: ECHL.tvListen: WJBXSocial: Twitter | #FLAvsJAX

Last Time OutJoe Cox (1g-1a), Blake Winiecki (1g-1a) and John McCarron (2a) all registered multiple points and Jeremy Helvig stopped all 20 shots he faced to lead Florida to a 3-0 shutout win over the Icemen on Friday night at Hertz Arena. Michael Neville started the scoring for the 'Blades with his sixth tally of the season just 3:24 into the opening period. That score held up as the eventual game-winner thanks to the third shutout of the season for Helvig, all of which have come in his last four starts. BOX SCORE | RECAP 

Players to WatchBlake Winiecki (FLA) – The rookie forward tied the longest 'Blades assist streak of the season on Friday with a helper for the sixth straight game. A native of Lakeville, Minnesota, Winiecki also chipped in his 11th goal of the season in the game to give him his sixth multi-point effort of the season. He has points in 12 of his last 13 games. 

Garrett Ladd (JAX) - Acquired by Jacksonville in mid-December, Ladd has tabbed nine points (3g-6a) in 16 games for the Icemen, while he posted six points (3g-3a) in 15 games for the Fort Wayne Komets to start the season. Ladd spent all of the 2017-18 campaign with the Tulsa Oilers and finished third on the team in scoring with 46 points (21g-25a) despite playing in only 48 games. 

Series historySaturday's matchup is the ninth of 13 total meetings this season between Florida and Jacksonville and the fifth of seven tilts in Jacksonville. The 'Blades played the Icemen five consecutive times from Nov. 2-14. After not playing each other since Dec. 15, the two teams are now in the midst of a stretch of three straight games against each other. Florida holds an 18-2-2 all-time mark against the Icemen and has a 7-2-1 record at Veterans Memorial Arena. 

Icing the IcemenFriday's shutout victory over Jacksonville was the first shutout win for either team in the all-time series of 22 games. Florida has kept the Icemen's offense at bay throughout the season series this year and has allowed more than two goals in just two of the eight meetings. The 'Blades have also limited Jacksonville's scoring chances in the season series, allowing an average of just 22.88 shots on goal between the eight matchups. Florida has held the Icemen to less than 30 shots on goal in all but one of the meetings this year. 

Not Your Average JoeJoe Cox, Florida's 2019 ECHL All-Star Classic player representative, has been on an offensive tear lately and has points in seven of his last eight games. The second-year pro has four multi-point games in that stretch and has tabbed 12 total points (6g-6a) in that eight-game span. In addition to leading Florida in scoring with 44 points (18g-26a), Cox is now tied for fourth in the ECHL in points. 

Home Ice AdvantageAlthough Jacksonville has struggled on the road this season with just an 8-12-1-1 record, the Icemen have been hard to top on home ice. Entering Saturday, the Icemen have posted a 15-5-0-0 mark at Veterans Memorial Arena. However, Jacksonville has yet to play at home in the New Year thanks to a stretch of 11 straight games on the road. The Icemen's last home contest came on Dec. 28, a 5-0 win over the Orlando Solar Bears. 

Next Up Florida wraps up the stretch of three straight games against Jacksonville with a home tilt on Tuesday at Hertz Arena. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. It's also a $2 Wednesday — on a Tuesday —  with $2 beer, wine and hot dogs courtesy of Bud Light, John Morrell and Barefoot Wine. —

Single-game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now!Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are still on sale! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits! To view the Ticket & Voucher Package options CLICK HERE. SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades tote bag!Private Arena Tours are also available to select your 2018-19 season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today! 

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes