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ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades claw their way to 3-1 win over Cyclones

February 14, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (35-13-2) rebounded from a tough loss the previous night to pick up a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones (28-19-5) on Saturday night at Germain Arena. Kevin Baker increased his league leading goal total with the game-winning marker in the second period, and David Leggio turned in 11 saves in the winning effort.

In the third straight game between the pair of first place teams the game had the feel of a playoff game although the Everblades dominated puck possession and chances. Early in the game it was evident that Cyclones goaltender Ryan Nie was going to be tough to beat as he made 14 saves in the opening period to keep the surging Everblades off the board. Defensively the Everblades held the short-benched Cyclones to just two shots as the teams went to the locker room scoreless.

The Everblades finally broke through in the second period with two quick goals in the first five minutes. Ross Carlson opened the scoring at 4:11 with a sharp angle shot from the bottom of the left circle that found its way under the cross bar. Carlson's 11th goal of the season was set up off nice passes from Peter Metcalf and Yannick Tifu.

With the crowd still celebrating, just 37 seconds later Baker notched the eventual game-winning goal with a quick one-time shot from the right circle that sailed inside the left post. Mark Lee set the play up after swinging behind the net with the puck then finding Baker in the circle. Ryan McGinnis also assisted on Baker's 42nd goal of the year.

The Cyclones however, despite managing only three shots in the second period, climbed back to within a goal with a power play marker by Mark Van Guilder at 10:31 with a big slap shot from the top of the right circle that ricocheted off the pads of Leggio and into the net.

The game moved into the third period with the Everblades still leading 2-1. The intensity amped up as the period progressed and Nie continued to keep Florida from extending their lead. As time wore on the Everblades kept the pressure on and sustained the waves of pressure from Cincinnati before eventually finding some insurance.

With just over three minutes remaining in regulation Colin Nicholson notched his ninth goal of the year with a one-time shot from the slot that sailed into the upper left corner of the net. Tifu and Matt Auffrey did the leg work behind the net before Tifu's pass from the right corner found Nicholson.

Cincinnati pressured hard in the final two minutes, pulling Nie for the extra attacker, but the Everblades held on to preserve the win.

Leggio didn't face a lot of action through the night, but did come up with big saves in the third period, helping him to improve his record to 17-5-1 after stopping 11 of 12 shots. Nie suffered the tough-luck loss after turning away 39 of 42 shots, but saw his record fall to 16-9-2.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 0-of-4, while Cincinnati closed out the game 1-of-7.

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ECHL Stories from February 14, 2009


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