ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades draw first blood, win overtime thriller

April 14, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades picked up two goals by rookie Vince Bellissimo, including the game-winner in overtime, and two short-handed goals to upend the Greenville Grrrowl 5-4 in game one of the South Division semifinals on Friday night at Germain Arena.

Bellissimo's second goal of the night with 9:04 remaining in the first overtime period gave the Everblades the early 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Bellissimo collected his own rebound at the top of the crease and slid the shot past Greenville net minder Jeff Deslauriers sending the crowd of 5,864 into a frenzy.

The overtime period was necessary after Greenville notched their third power play goal of the night when Steve Slonina's wrist shot beat Everblades goalie Phil Osaer high on the glove side with just 1:05 left in regulation. It was the third time in the game Greenville battled from behind to tie the game.

A wild third period opened with Bellissimo tallying his first of the night when a slow shot from the top of the right circle found its way into the net at 6:14. The Grrrowl answered back with a power play goal a 13:29 by Les Haggett to even the score at three, however Drew Larman deflected a shot by Kevin Estrada into the net at 14:44 to regain the lead for the Everblades at 4-3.

Prior to the third period, the teams traded goals throughout the first two periods as well. Greenville opened the scoring when Allen Sirois poked home his second playoff goal at 6:47 of the opening period. The Everblades responded to that by scoring twice on the same Greenville power play midway through the first period. Estrada tallied the first of the two short-handed goals by completing a breakaway at 10:25. Then, at 11:43 Reggie Berg slipped a shot through the pads of Deslauriers to give the Everblades their first lead of the night at 2-1.

The Grrrowl scored the only second period goal when Haggett scored the first of his two goals at 6:48.

Osaer earned the win in net by stopping 36 of 40 Greenville shots to bring his record to 1-0 in the playoffs, and Deslauriers (2-1) suffered his first playoff loss by allowing the five goals on 32 Florida shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 0-for-6, while the Grrrowl closed out game going 3-for-7.

The Everblades return to action for Game 2 of the semi-final division series on Saturday, April 15 when they host on the Greenville Grrrowl at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena.

Everblades 2006 Kelly Cup Playoff tickets for Game "B" are on sale now to the general public! Fans can purchase tickets at the Germain Arena box office, which is open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information, contact the Everblades office at (239) 948-7825.

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ECHL Stories from April 14, 2006


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