Florida Everblades edge Jacksonville Icemen 3-2 in overtime after late rally at Hertz Arena
Overtime decides another one-goal Everblades-Icemen game
The Florida Everblades defeated the Jacksonville Icemen 3-2 in overtime on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Hertz Arena in Estero, completing a comeback that was sealed 3:47 into the extra session. The result extended a stretch of close games between the in-state ECHL rivals and set the tone for a quick turnaround rematch the following night.
How the game unfolded
Jacksonville built a 2-0 lead in the second period. Brayden Hislop opened the scoring at 7:07 of the middle frame, and David Jankowski made it 2-0 at 8:53 with his first goal as an Icemen.
Florida’s rally came late. Logan Lambdin scored a power-play goal at 16:31 of the third period to cut the deficit to one. With the Icemen protecting the lead into the final minute, Jesse Lansdell tied the game with 45 seconds remaining in regulation, forcing overtime. In the extra period, captain Oliver Chau finished a two-on-one sequence for the game-winner.
Final score: Everblades 3, Icemen 2 (OT)
Key late sequence: Florida scored twice in the final four minutes of regulation to erase a two-goal deficit
Overtime winner: Oliver Chau at 3:47 of OT
Goaltending and shot volume shaped the margins
Jacksonville goaltender Scott Ratzlaff faced heavy pressure and finished with 46 saves on 49 shots. Florida goaltender Cam Johnson stopped 16 of 18 shots. The shot totals underscored Florida’s sustained puck possession, particularly as the Everblades pushed for the equalizer late.
The tying and go-ahead goals were created in high-leverage situations late in regulation and early in overtime, when a single defensive breakdown or rebound can decide a one-goal game.
Special teams and late-game tactics
Florida’s comeback was fueled by end-of-game personnel and special-teams situations: Lambdin’s third-period goal came on a 6-on-4 power play, and Lansdell’s tying goal came during a 6-on-5 with Jacksonville defending a one-goal lead. That sequence aligned with Florida’s recent pattern of one-goal outcomes, with multiple games extending beyond regulation.
What came next in the series
The clubs met again in Estero on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Florida followed with a 2-1 win on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, closing out a five-game homestand in front of a sellout crowd of 7,396 at Hertz Arena. In that Sunday game, Florida scored twice from the blue line—Gianfranco Cassaro and Connor Doherty each found the net—while Jacksonville’s lone goal came from Adam McMaster.
For Jacksonville, the Feb. 20 overtime loss still produced a standings point, but the late collapse highlighted how narrow the margins can be against a high-shot-volume opponent. For Florida, the game added another example of a team capable of forcing extra time even when the offense is quiet for long stretches.