Icemen on verge of elimination after another OT loss to Everblades

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Icemen find themselves in a familiar position — facing a playoff elimination at the hands of their biggest rival.

The visiting Everblades beat Jacksonville in overtime for the third straight game, winning 2-1 in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup playoffs to take a commanding lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is Thursday night at 7 p.m. at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The Icemen, who trail the series 3-0 after 3-2 and 2-1 losses in OT on the road in the first two games, need a win to avoid being swept.

Florida used a goal from Anton Malmström with just under six and a half minutes to play in the extra period to push Jacksonville to the brink of elimination. The Everblades have ended the Icemen’s season all four of their previous trips.

After falling behind 1-0 less than a minute into the game, Jacksonville was solid the rest of the way. Chris Grando scored in the second period and the Icemen took it into OT again. Florida just was better again when it mattered.