ECHL Florida Everblades

Beca's Five Points Lift Blades to 8-2 Win Over Elmira

December 9, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - Matt Beca's goal and four assists helped the Florida Everblades cruise to an impressive 8-2 victory over the Elmira Jackals at Germain Arena Friday night. The Blades win snaps Elmira's six-game winning streak.

Florida received an early power play in the game's first minute. Eleven seconds later, David Rutherford scored his team leading 12th goal of the season to give the Blades the early 1-0 lead. Rutherford has registered a goal in three consecutive games.

Halfway through the first, the Jackals tied the game with a power play goal of their own, as Artem Demkov blasted a shot past Florida goaltender Pat Nagle. Nearly three minutes later, Florida connected on another power play opportunity as Rylan Galiardi hammered a shot on the backside past Jackals netminder Brian Stewart, to make the score 2-1 after the first.

Galiardi started the second period netting his second goal of the game to give the Blades a 3-1 lead. Scott Pitt extended the lead to 4-1 at 15:46 sliding the puck into the net from the right side of the crease.

Moments later, Deron Cousens fielded a stretch pass and rushed into the zone. Cousens let a wrist shot fly which beat Stewart for the goal. The marker was the first of the professional career for Cousens, who extended the lead to 5-1 after two periods.

Matt Beca who entered the third period with four assists, was rewarded with his fourth goal of the season at the 2:56 mark to extend the score to 6-1. The goal chased Stewart from the game, and backup goaltender Nick Niedert came in relief. Niedert was rudely welcomed to the game by Blades captain Mathieu Roy who wristed a shot into the net from the slot to put Florida up by six.

The Everblades capped off the scoring on a 2-on-0 rush led by Pitt. Pitt broke into the zone with Cousens who was fresh out of the penalty box. Pitt slid a backhanded pass across the crease to Cousens who stuff the puck inside the post for the eighth Florida goal. Elmira's Kevin King added another goal late when the outcome was already in hand, to put the game to the final score of 8-2.

Pat Nagle earns the win stopping 28 of 30 shots on the night, while Stewart suffers the loss allowing six goals on 30 shots. With the win, Florida now pulls within one point of first place Gwinnett in the South Division.

The two teams meet again Saturday beginning at 7:00 p.m. The game is the annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by IBERIABANK. Fans are asked to bring a stuffed toy or teddy bear to the game to throw onto the ice when the Everblades score their first goal. The McDonald's Tailgate Party starts at 5:00 p.m. with live music on the Comcast Stage from Common Ground, and there will be bounce houses for the kids!

Following the game, there will be a Build-A-Bear Auction featuring player made teddy bears and stuffed animals. These bears make for great holiday gifts, and all proceeds of the auction will benefit the Deb Kelsey Fund, Piper Buckley Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Take advantage of the Saturday Family 4-Pack, where you receive 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas for just $56. Tickets are going fast! To purchase tickets stop by any Ticketmaster outlet, or the Capital Bank Box Office at Germain Arena. The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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ECHL Stories from December 9, 2011


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