'Blades Battle From Behind to Beat Pride 5-4
November 21, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (6-7-0) used a pair of third period goals by Brad Church to help pick up a 5-4 shootout victory over the Pee Dee Pride (7-4-2) on Saturday night at Germain Arena.
Twice in the game the Everblades battled from behind to earn the win in the second meeting of the year between the two teams. After Eric Naud gave the Pride a 1-0 lead 4:32 into the opening period, the 'Blades answered back with two late first period goals to hold a 2-1 advantage after one period. Matt Pagnutti notched his second goal of the year at 12:14 of the opening frame when his shot from outside the blue line squibbed through the legs of Pride goaltender Nick Boucher to tie the game. Florida took their first lead of the game with just 21 seconds remaining in the opening period on Ernie Hartlieb's third goal of the season.
The 'Blades lead held until the 6:11 mark of the second period when Pee Dee's Allan Sirios intercepted a clearing pass by Florida goaltender Craig Kowalski and fired it into the open net for a power play goal. A wild third period opened with Pee Dee scoring twice in the first four and a half minutes to open a two-goal advantage. Adam Elzinga and Mark Mullen each scored even strength goals to give the Pride the lead. However, Florida battled back on a pair of goal by Church to force overtime. Church's first tally came on a short side backhand shot that banked off Boucher's arm at 12:57. The 'Blades tied the game with 3:58 remaining in regulation on Church's second of the night while on the power play.
Neither team scored in the wide open overtime period forcing the game into a shootout. In the shootout, the Pride scored on their first attempt, but were shut down by Kowalski after that. Meanwhile Florida used shootout goals by Tom Reimann, Chris Lee and Jim Abbott to pick up the victory. The Everblades are now 2-0 in shootouts this season, while the Pride fell to 1-2 in shootouts.
Kowalski picked up the win in goal for the 'Blades stopping 35 of 39 Pee Dee shots and three of four shooters in the shootout to raise his record to 3-3-0. Boucher earned a tie in the standings after making 38 saves in regulation and overtime, but allowing three of four Florida shooters to score in the shootout. Boucher's record dropped to 2-2-2. Florida finished the night 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Pride closed out the night 1-for-3 on the man advantage.
Florida continues their six-game home stand when they take on the Greenville Grrrowl on Wednesday night, November 24 at 7:30 p.m. You can hear all of the Everblades action on SportsRadio 770 AM or via internet by visiting www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com with the "Voice of the Everblades" Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.
3 Stars:
1 - Brad Church - FLA
2 - Allan Sirois - PD
3 - Tim O'Connell - FLA
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