Blades burned by Inferno in OT, 3-2
April 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (0-1) dropped a hard-fought overtime decision to the Columbia Inferno, 3-2 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the South Division Quarter-Finals at Germain Arena. Mac Faulkner's first goal of the post season capped off a come-from-behind effort by the Inferno (1-0) who gained home-ice in the best-of-five series with the win.
Overall the contest was a tight-checking affair between the four and five seeds of the South Division. With the shots and scoring chances kept at a minimum, the Everblades opened the scoring of the contest with the only first period tally. While on their first power play of the game, the Everblades cashed in midway through the frame to grab a 1-0 lead. Kirk MacDonald notched the series opening goal at 12:11 when he took a pass from Derek Damon into the zone on the left side before whipping a wrist shot between the pads of Columbia net-minder Todd Ford.
The 1-0 held for the Everblades into the second period and nearly into the third period, but the Inferno managed to tie the game with just over a minute remaining in the stanza. With the puck at the blue line, a long shot by Julian Brouillette was stopped by Everblades goaltender Kevin Nastiuk. The rebound however was scooped up at the top of the crease by Steve McJannet who proceeded to chip the puck into the net with 1:05 remaining in the period.
With the teams even at one entering the third, both clubs started the frame off in cautious fashion. Midway through the period however, the Everblades raced out of their own zone with the puck. Brett Peterson began the play by swinging behind his own net, before feeding a pass up the right win to Damon. When Damon hit the red line he chipped the puck into the zone where Peterson raced by the Inferno defense and broke in on Ford alone before lifting a shot over the stick side as Ford attempted a poke-check. The goal, scored at 9:47 was assisted by Damon and Steve Czech.
The jubilation of the 3,283 fans and the Everblades bench didn't last long however as Columbia's regular season leading scorer Jeff Miles raced into the Florida zone just one minute and 47 seconds later and let fly a shot from the right circle that sailed past Nastiuk and inside the left post to even the score at two with 8:26 remaining in regulation.
Neither team managed to break the deadlock over the remaining time in regulation, so the contest moved to overtime. After a cautious start to the extra period by both clubs, the Inferno took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone to tally the game winner. As Peterson raced the puck out of the Everblades end of the ice, he was met with a solid check at center that jarred the puck loose. McJannet tapped the loose puck ahead to Faulkner who skated ahead into the right circle and let a wrist shot go that beat Nastiuk in almost the same fashion as Columbia's second goal. The game-winner came just 4:43 into the extra session and gave the Inferno a 1-0 series lead.
Nastiuk (0-1) suffered the loss allowing the three goals on 24 shots and Ford (1-0) earned the win by turning away 25 of 27 Florida shots.
On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 1-for-3 while Columbia went 0-for-3.
Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades continue the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 11 when they host the Columbia Inferno at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Individual tickets to Game "B" of the playoffs 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.
Stars: 1) Mac Faulkner - CBA 2) Jeff Miles - CBA 3) Brett Peterson - FLA
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