Blades Earn Point in 2-1 Overtime Loss
December 31, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (18-6-8) fell in overtime to the Columbus Cottonmouths (15-14-4) 2-1 in front of a crowd of 6,451 at TECO Arena on Tuesday night. With the tie, Florida remains in first place in the ECHL's Southeast Division. Florida also remains unbeaten in their last fourteen games (11-0-3). Columbus forward Jeff Zehr scored the game winning goal in overtime to give Columbus the extra pointing the standings.
After a scoreless first period, the Everblades got on the board on a 5 on 3 power play after forward Tom Buckley fired a cross ice pass to Ryan Murphy who on timed the puck past Columbus netminder Matus Koster at the 11:17 mark of the period. The Cottonmouths struck back with a power play goal of their own and made it 1-1when forward Andrew Long let a wrist shot go from the right dot that sailed over the glove of Everblades netminder Rob Zepp.
In overtime, Cottonmouths forward Jeff Zehr picked up a loose rebound and slipped it into the net to give Columbus the victory.
Florida goaltender Rob Zepp (13-3-5) stopped 23 of 25 shots he faced while Columbus netminder Matus Koster (10-5-0) stopped 41 of 42 shots. The Everblades were 1 for 9 on the power play while the Cottonmouths were 2 for 7.
Florida remains at home this weekend to battle the Columbia Inferno on Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 PM. Friday night's game will not be aired on Sportsradio 770 AM due to the Fiesta Bowl. Saturday night's game will be televised on UPN-8.
3 Stars:
1 - Koster - CBS
2 - Zehr - CBS
3 - Long- CBS
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- Generals move within one point of first - Greensboro Generals
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