ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades collect 4-2 pre-season win over Riverkings

Published on October 12, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades first ever game against an opponent outside the ECHL was successful as the 'Blades rode three power play goals to a 4-2 win over the Mississippi RiverKings of the Central Hockey League.

The Everblades took advantage of 19 Mississippi penalties, 13 of which resulted in power play opportunities by scoring twice on 5-on-3 power play chances and on a 5-on-4 man advantage situation to collect the victory. The Everblades came out strong in the first period, out-shooting Mississippi 22-4 in the frame, and Mathieu Melanson, Ernie Hartlieb and Jarret Lukin scored three first period goals for the Everblades in a span of 2:35 midway through the period to grab a 3-0 lead.

Melanson's tally came at 9:40 of the opening period when he scooped up a rebound off a Frank MacDonald shot and chipped it past RiverKings net-minder Larry Stirling for the 1-0 lead. Hartlieb gave the 'Blades a two-goal advantage at 11:01 banging home a loose puck at the side of the net and Lukin completed the scoring spree by taking a centering feed from J.B. Bittner and slipping it between the pads of Stirling at 12:25.

Mississippi added a late first period goal to trim the Florida lead to two when Ryan Campbell banged home a pass from behind the net past Everblades goaltender Justin Peters with 2:05 remaining in the frame.

The game got rough in the second period when both teams at separate points held five-minute major power play opportunities. The RiverKings got the first shot with the extended man advantage when MacDonald was given a five-minute major for punching Mississippi's Ryan Kindret, but the RiverKings failed to convert on the chance.

The Everblades got their turn on the five-minute power play late in the second period when Mississippi's Steve Makway instigated a fight with MacDonald as he was stepping out of the penalty box. Makway was given a game misconduct in addition to his fighting major, and the Everblades cashed in on the ensuing five-minute man advantage. Adam Taylor opened a 4-1 lead for the Everblades at 2:42 of the third period when his wrist shot from the bottom of the left circle found its way into the upper right corner of the net.

The RiverKings cut the Everblades lead back to two once more at 6:54 of the final period when Campbell notched his second tally of the night when a shot from the blue line deflected and ricocheted off Peters and to the stick of Campbell who swept the puck into the net.

Peters played strong in net, stopping 27 of 29 shots to earn the win, while Sterling, who also was strong in net, suffered the loss allowing the four goals on 32 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades converted on three of their 13 chances, while the RiverKings finished the night 1-for-11.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The 2007-08 season begins on Friday, October 19 when the 'Blades host the Mississippi Sea Wolves at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena! 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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ECHL Stories from October 12, 2007


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