JACKSONVILLE, Fla – On Friday night, for their annual throwback weekend, the Jacksonville Icemen stepped back in time to play as the Jacksonville Lizard Kings against the visiting Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The game took place at the Reptilian Pavilion (also known as the Vystar Memorial Arena). The Lizard Kings originally played in Jacksonville from 1995-2000. The announcers, rosters, scoreboards, and jerseys all referred to the team as the Lizard Kings. Fans also chanted the Lizard Kings’ name, and nineties music played during stoppages in play and intermission. The Swamp Rabbits took a 5-2 victory.
After a scoreless first period, the Swamp Rabbits would tally first with a goal from Tanner Eberle just over two minutes into the game. Eberle previously played for the Icemen in their inaugural season. The Lizard Kings tied the game up on a powerplay goal from Christopher Brown. The Swamp Rabbits would score two more goals to end the second period up 3-1.
On a carry-over powerplay from the end of the second period, the Swamp Rabbits would score 44 seconds into the third period to give them a three-goal cushion. A powerplay goal by Jacksonville’s Zach Jordan at the 9:13 mark would make it a two-goal deficit, but the Lizard Kings were unable to close the gap and an empty-net goal with 30 seconds left on the clock sealed the deal for the Swamp Rabbits.
The two teams match-up again on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Check out this photo gallery from Field Pass Hockey’s Andrew Fielder for highlights from the game.
