Blades blanked by Kowalski, 2-0
Published on March 29, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The night after a brawl-filled game against the Gwinnett Gladiators, the Florida Everblades (36-25-8) fell short in the tail end of the third period as the Gwinnett Gladiators (43-21-5) handed the Everblades a 2-0 loss at Germain Arena on Saturday night. The sold-out crowd of 7,284 watched former Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski return and earn the shutout and collect his league-leading 29th win of the season.
The first period remained relatively quiet in comparison to Friday night's ice combat. The Everblades maintained excellence in penalty kills, butchering through a two-minute penalty and a 5-on-3. In turn, the Gladiators outshot Florida 9-2 and also burned an Everblades power play. The mild-tempered first period produced no goals and both teams headed to the locker rooms scoreless.
With only 14 minutes worth of penalties doled out after the second period, compared to the 274 the night before, play remained composed. The Gladiators continued to lead with 20 shots in comparison to Florida's 11, but the nets ultimately remained vacant of pucks. Goaltending prevailed in the first two periods as Kowalski and Everblades goalie David Shantz protected their respective nets.
Scoreless after two, neither team lacked determination going into the third period. It was the Gladiators, however, that scored the first goal of the night at 14:28 when leftwing Mike Hamilton took a pass into the offensive zone where he let a wrist shot fly from the top of the right circle that squeezed through Shantz for his 23rd goal of the year putting Gwinnett up 1-0.
With just over a minute remaining in the third period, the Everblades pressed the offensive zone with their goalie pulled for the extra attacker, only to see Kowalski again turn away a couple scoring chances. The Gladiators eventually took advantage of the empty net when Tomas Pospisil pushed the puck into the gaping cage with 52 seconds remaining in regulation for a 2-0 lead.
Despite solid goaltending, Shantz endured the loss, allowing one goal on 31 shots putting his record at 10-5-3. Kowalski collected his second shutout of the season by turning away all 18 shots he faced.
On the power play, both teams closed out night 0-for-5.
Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades return to action on Tuesday in Estero to take on the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Stop by the Germain Arena box office to reserve your seat for all the exciting action! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
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