ECHL Florida Everblades

Baker late show dooms Chiefs 4-3

February 25, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (36-16-3) rode captain Kevin Baker's 44th & 45th goals, including the game-winner with 1:25 remaining in regulation to a 4-3 win over the visiting Johnstown Chiefs (31-20-3) on Wednesday night at Germain Arena. The win snapped Florida's 0-3-1 skid and improved them to 18-7-0 on home ice.

Baker's heroics were set up by the Everblades holding an attempted Johnstown clearing attempt in at the right point. Tim Cook held the puck in and allowed Andrew Sweetland to chip it to the right corner to a wide open Milan Gajic. As Gajic walked out of the corner Baker streaked to the front of the net before blasting a one-timer by Chiefs goaltender Ian Keserich.

Baker stepped up earlier in the game to tie the score with a power play goal late in the second period. Peter Metcalf set up Baker in the high slot with a perfect pass before the league's leading scorer rifled a laser beam into the upper left corner of the net at 12:58 of the middle frame.

The high-tempo game between the two first place teams saw the clubs trade goals in the opening period to a 2-2 tie. Milan Gajic opened the scoring for the Everblades just 3:26 into the game after Sweetland muscled a pass to him in the slot where his quick shot found the back of net for his third goal in his fourth game with Florida. Ernie Hartlieb added the second assist on the marker.

The Chiefs responded to even the score a one midway through the period on Ryan Del Monte's 13th goal of the season after his shot from the right circle snuck under the pads of Everblades net-minder David Leggio at 10:12.

The scoring volleyed back to the Everblades who regained the lead with the first of their two power play goals. Hartlieb registered his 15th goal of the season at 13:37 after a great set up by Sweetland who's pass from the right circle found him at the left side of the crease where he buried a wrist shot for a 2-1 lead.

Before the period came to an end the Chiefs notched the first of their two power play goals when Jarrett Konkle's shot from the right side sailed past Leggio with 1:34 remaining in the period.

Johnstown took their only lead of the game 8:21 into the second period when they converted on a 5-on-3 power play. Blair Yaworski picked up a rebound at the right post off a Trevor Hendrikx shot that caromed off Leggio to open a 3-2 Chiefs lead.

In the closing moments Johnstown pulled Keserich for the extra attacker, but the Everblades kept the pressure away from the net and held on for their league leading 36th game of the season.

Leggio improved his record to 18-6-1 by turning away 14 of 17 shots. Keserich (11-11-1) suffered the loss allowing the four goals on 35 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 2-of-9, while Chiefs closed out the game 2-of-7.

BEWARE OF THE BITE! Action You Can Sink Your Teeth Into! Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Visit the Germain Arena Box Office M-F from 10-6 to purchase tickets, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com or call 239-948-PUCK for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

The Everblades return to action on Friday, February 27 when they host the Johnstown Chiefs at 7:30 p.m.

3 Stars: 1 - Kevin Baker - FLA 2 - Milan Gajic - FLA 3 - Jarrett Konkle - JHN

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