'Blades fall 4-2 to Bombers, trail series 3-2
May 15, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
DAYTON, OH - The Dayton Bombers battled from behind to pick up a huge Game 5 win, 4-2 over the Florida Everblades on Tuesday night at the Nutter Center in front of a crowd of 1,729. The win gives Dayton a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven American Conference Finals, and a chance to wrap up the series in Game 6 on Thursday at Germain Arena.
The Bombers took advantage of two late third period goals by their captain Greg Labenski to finish the come-from-behind effort after trailing 2-0 after one period. Labenski's first of the night and of the playoffs came at 12:21 when he scooped up a loose puck in the left circle and wristed it over the shoulder of goaltender Craig Kowalski which tied the game at two. Labenski later netted the game winner in similar fashion while the Bombers enjoyed a 5-on-3 power play. His second of the night came with 4:35 remaining in regulation and also came from the top of the left circle and found it's way through traffic and into the net for a 3-2 Bomber lead.
The game however opened in much different fashion as the Everblades came out strong tallying the game's first two goals to help set the early tone. Florida grabbed a 1-0 lead 12:21 into the game when Brad Parsons picked up a power play goal by collecting a rebound at the right post and slipping the puck home. Vince Bellissimo and Chris Lee assisted on Parsons' fourth playoff goal. The Everblades extended their lead to 2-0 late in the period when Brad Zancanaro's shot from the left circle tipped off the glove of Dayton goaltender Adam Berkhoel's glove and into the crease, where David Brine raced onto it and poked it into the net for the two-goal lead. Ernie Hartlieb earned the second assist on Brine's sixth post-season goal.
The second period proved to be a different game though, as the Bombers came out flying and pressured the Everblades intensely out-shooting them 15-3, leading to their first goal of the contest. Kowalski made several big saves over the first 17 minutes of the period, but the Bombers finally broke through with a power play goal by Brad Farynuk at 17:07 when his blast from the left circle found the upper right corner of the net, trimming the 'Blades lead to 2-1.
The Bombers sealed the victory with an empty net goal by Phillippe Dupuis with 37 seconds remaining in regulation. The goal was Dupuis' fourth of the playoffs.
Kowalski ended the night allowing three goals on 28 shots, but saw his record fall to 9-5 in the post-season, while Berkhoel collected the win by turning away 21 of 23 shots, bringing his record to 10-5.
On the power play, the Everblades finished the game 1-for-5, while the Bombers closed out the night 2-for-8.
The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to action on Thursday, May 17 when they take on the Dayton Bombers for Game 6 of the best-of-seven American Conference Finals series from Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for playoff Game "H", which is Game 6 of the American Conference Finals, are on sale now and can be purchased by fans at the Germain Arena Box Office or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The Florida Everblades are now accepting deposits on 2007-08 season tickets! Reserve your seat for all the exciting action today by calling (239) 948-7825. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
Three Stars:
1) Greg Labenski - DAY
2) Brent Walton - DAY
3) Phillippe Dupuis - DAY
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