Greensboro Gargoyles at Jacksonville Icemen

St. Patrick's Day Hockey: Greensboro Brings ECHL Action to Downtown Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Icemen face off against the Greensboro Gargoyles on Wednesday, March 17th at 7:00 PM, turning St. Patrick's Day into a hockey night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. This mid-week ECHL matchup promises the kind of fast-paced, physical hockey that makes minor league games so compelling to watch. The 7:00 PM puck drop gives fans plenty of time to grab dinner beforehand and still catch every minute of action, with the holiday atmosphere adding an extra layer of energy to the arena.

What to Expect:

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena delivers that classic hockey atmosphere where the crack of sticks and the thud of body checks echo through the building. The Greensboro Gargoyles bring their road game to Jacksonville's ice, creating a matchup that typically features the scrappy, determined play characteristic of ECHL hockey. Wednesday night crowds at Icemen games tend toward die-hard fans who know the sport, creating an environment where every big hit and scoring chance gets the reaction it deserves.

Insider Tips:

- Plan to arrive by 6:30 PM to navigate parking and grab your seats before warmups begin
- The Arena Garage and Sports Complex Parking Garage fill quickly for evening games, so heading straight there beats circling for street parking
- Concession stands on the lower concourse move faster than upper-level options during intermissions
- St. Patrick's Day falling on a Wednesday means potential themed promotions, so check Jacksonville Icemen social media before heading out
- Sections 108-110 behind the Icemen's attacking net twice offer the best view of offensive zone action
- Dress in layers since arena temperatures can vary significantly between ice level and upper sections

Getting There:

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena sits at 300 A Philip Randolph Boulevard in downtown Jacksonville, easily accessible from I-95 and the Arlington Expressway. The Arena Garage on East Adams Street and Sports Complex Parking Garage on East Duval Street offer covered parking within a two-minute walk of the main entrance. Surface lots including Lot Z on Palmetto Street and Lot V on Lafayette Street provide additional options within a few blocks. The venue anchors Jacksonville's sports and entertainment district, surrounded by the St. Johns River to the north and downtown's grid of one-way streets. A Philip Randolph Boulevard serves as the main artery, connecting directly to the expressway system for those coming from the beaches or southside neighborhoods.

Local Scene:

Downtown Jacksonville's brewery scene clusters perfectly around VyStar for pre-game gathering. Intuition Ale Works sits just 250 meters from the arena on East Bay Street, pouring local craft beers in a space that fills with hockey fans before puck drop. Manifest Distilling on East Forsyth Street offers spirits and cocktails about 250 meters away for those wanting something beyond beer. Ruby Beach Brewing provides another locally-owned option roughly a kilometer from the arena, perfect for a more relaxed pre-game stop. Post-game options shift toward Myth Nightclub on East Bay Street for those looking to extend the St. Patrick's Day celebration. Keane's Tavern fits the sports bar mold for fans wanting to dissect the game over late-night food, while the downtown brewery crawl remains walkable even after a Wednesday night game wraps up around 9:30 PM.