ECHL Florida Everblades

Baker sets single-season point record, but Blades fall 6-3 to Gladiators

Published on March 15, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


DULUTH, GA - The Florida Everblades (41-17-4) saw a new single-season record for points in a year set by captain Kevin Baker, but the team closed out their quick three-game road trip with a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Gwinnett Gladiators (27-28-6) on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 5,237. The Gladiators were led by Matt Siddall who posted a hat-trick to help get two big points in the standings in their race for the last playoff spot in the South Divison.

After a scoreless first period that featured good flow on both side and saw Gwinnett out-shoot the Everblades 13-9, the Gladiators exploded for three second period goals to carry a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.

Gwinnett's first tally came just 42 seconds into the frame on a carry over power play. Siddall notched the first of his three goals after taking a drop pass from Brandon Kalenicki and firing a wrist shot past a screened David Leggio.

The Gladiators added to their lead on Siddall's second tally of the night when he deflected a shot from the point by J.C. Sawyer that clanked off the crossbar and into the net at 5:21. Gwinnett completed the goal scoring trifecta with their second power play marker late in the frame when Dirk Southern's slap shot from the left circle deflected off an Everblade defenders stick and by Leggio at 13:52.

Like the Gladiators did earlier, the Everblades began the third period with carry over power play time that they were able to cash in on just 26 seconds into the frame to get onto the board. The goal, which was set up by Baker for his team record 88th point of the year, was scored off a rebound by A.J. Thelen for his second goal of the year.

Unfortunately the Everblades were not able to keep the deficit at two goals as the Gladiators responded just a few minutes later when Mike Looby was set up by Siddall on the doorstep at 3:22 for his fourth goal of the year and Gwinnett's fourth goal of the night.

The Everblades however exploded back with two more quick goals coming just 1:06 apart. The first of the two tallies came off another rebound by goaltender Joe Fallon this time with Baker being the recipient banging the puck home at the left post at 5:09 for his league leading 49th goal of the season. Tim Cook and Ro ss Carlson chipped in the assists.

Florida then drew within a goal at 6:15 when Ernie Hartlieb picked up a loose puck in the high slot and fired a wrist shot that rang off the inside of the left post and into the net for his 17th goal of the season. Cook and Colin Nicholson earned the assists on the goal that brought the Everblades back to within one.

The come-back effort by the Everblades was however spoiled when Siddall completed the hat-trick by tallying a short-handed marker during a four-minute Everblade power play. The goal came at 13:17 and pushed the lead back to two.

The Gladiators then sealed the with when Pat Bateman tucked home and empty net goal with 12 seconds remaining, giving Gwinnett their second straight win over the Everblades.

In net Leggio saw his record fall to 22-7-2 after allowing the five goals on 33 shots. Fallon earned his first win in four tried against the Everblades by stopping 39 shots which improved his record to 14-9-2.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 1-of-4, while Gladiators 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 Tuesday, March 17 when they host the Charlotte Checkers at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena

3 Stars:

1 - Matt Siddall - GWI

2 - Mike Looby - GWI

3 - Joe Fallon - GWI

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 15, 2009


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