Blades Drop Final Game of Trip 5-2 to Devils
Published on January 1, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
TRENTON, NJ - The Florida Everblades (21-14-1) were up-ended 5-2 in the final game of their four game road trip as the Trenton Devils (13-14-2) used a three-goal first period burst to open the new year with a victory on Saturday night at Sun National Bank Center.
The Devils came out strong and jumped on the Everblades for three first period goals to set the tone. Trenton got the scoring started off early, tallying just 46 seconds into the game on a quick wrist shot by Ryan Ginand from the bottom of the right circle that slipped between the pads of Everblades net-minder Bobby Goepfert.
A little more than two minutes later, the Devils opened a 2-0 lead on Jeff Prough's 11th goal of the season at 3:27 when his shot from the inside part of the left circle slipped inside the left post. Trenton capped off the trio of first period goals at 12:39 after Ryan Hayes found Kory Nagy alone in the slot with a pass from the left corner. Nagy then one-timed a quick shot past Goepfert for his fourth goal of the season and the 3-0 lead.
The Everblades chipped into Trenton's lead midway through the second period when Francis Lemieux slapped home his 15th goal of the season from the inside of the right circle at 10:19. Mitch Fadden set the play up after forcing a turnover just inside the blue line and slipping a pair of defenders before slipping a pass from the top of the left circle to Lemieux.
Trenton however regained their three goal advantage late in the period when Ginand was able to slide a back-hand shot from the top of the crease between the pads of Goepfert at 15:29.
In the final 20 minutes of play, the Everblades again cut the Devils lead down, by notching a short-handed goal at the 5:22 mark. Lemieux began the play by breaking up ice from the defensive zone on a 2-on-1 rush with Cedric McNicoll. After working the puck into the right circle, Lemieux fed a pass across to McNicoll who tallied his sixth goal of the season and fourth goal in the last three games.
The short-handed marker was the eighth of the season for the Everblades and the eighth allowed by the Devils this season.
That however was a as close as the Blades would get as the Devils clamped down defensively holding Florida to just six shots in the final period. Trenton sealed the win with an empty net tally with 53 seconds remaining by Dave Leaderer.
In goal, Goepfert saw his record fall to 13-8-1 after allowing four goals on 30 shots, while Caruso saw his record improve to 5-6-2 after stopping 22 of 24 shots.
On the power play, both teams finished the night 0-of-6.
Individual tickets to all 2010-11 Florida Everblades home games are on sale now! Tickets are available at the TIB Bank Box Office Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets through TicketMaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.comor calling 800-745-3000.
The Everblades return to action on Wednesday, January 5 when they host the defending Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Visit www.floridaeverblades.comand www.germainarena.comfor more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
Bud Light 3 Stars:
1 - Ryan Ginand - TRE
2 - Ryan Hayes - TRE
3 - Brad Miller - TRE
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