South Carolina Stingrays defeat Jacksonville Icemen 3-2 in overtime at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Overtime goal decides tight ECHL contest in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Icemen fell 3-2 in overtime to the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, a result that extended a season series marked by close margins and special-teams swings.

South Carolina’s three goals came from Zac Funk, Jordan Klimek and Josh Wilkins, with Wilkins providing the overtime winner to secure the extra point in the standings. Jacksonville’s two goals were enough to force overtime but not to finish the comeback in the extra session.

How the game turned: Jacksonville pushes it past regulation

In a matchup that stayed within a goal for long stretches, Jacksonville’s ability to reach overtime was the key short-term takeaway. The Icemen generated the equalizer during regulation to extend the game, creating a path to at least one standings point. South Carolina ultimately converted in the overtime period, ending the contest before a shootout became necessary.

While the full shift-by-shift statistical profile was not immediately available in public game recaps, the scoring record confirms a three-goal night for South Carolina and a two-goal response from Jacksonville, a familiar pattern in a rivalry that has produced multiple one-goal finishes across recent seasons.

Context: A series that has produced frequent late-game pressure

The Feb. 28 result fits into a broader competitive rhythm between the two clubs. Earlier in February, Jacksonville won in North Charleston, 4-1, limiting South Carolina’s offense and controlling much of the game state. The Stingrays answered later in the month with a 3-1 victory, using a strong third period to separate after a tie through two periods.

Saturday’s 3-2 overtime decision continued that back-and-forth sequence: neither side built a multi-goal cushion that held, and the outcome hinged on execution in the final stage of the game.

What it means for Jacksonville’s immediate schedule

The Icemen’s loss added a single overtime point but left them short of a regulation win in a key matchup against a divisional opponent. The schedule offered little recovery time: Jacksonville was set to play again the next day, Sunday, March 1, 2026, as part of a quick turnaround stretch typical of the ECHL calendar.

• Final score: South Carolina 3, Jacksonville 2 (OT)
• Date and venue: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville
• South Carolina scorers: Zac Funk, Jordan Klimek, Josh Wilkins (OT)

In a game that reached overtime, the decisive moment came from South Carolina’s Josh Wilkins, who finished the night’s final play to make it 3-2.