'Blades fall 4-3 to Dayton in Triple OT
May 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades played their longest game in team history, took the most shot in a playoff game in team history, but unfortunately couldn't come out one top in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series vs. Dayton as the Bombers tallied a power play goal 1:32 into the third overtime to draw first blood in the series.
What remained of the crowd of 4,225 quietly left Germain Arena after Brad Farynuk one-timed a pass by Phillip Dupuis past sprawling Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski. Dupuis dug the puck free from the left side of the Everblades net, skated behind the cage and found a wide open Farnyuk creeping into the right circle from where he buried his second playoff goal.
With the two teams having only one previous game of history between each other, the first period began cautiously. Neither team scored in the opening 20 minutes that saw the Everblades out shoot the Bombers 11-9. In the second period however thing changed dramatically. The Bombers came out strong and took advantage of several odd-man rushes to open a 3-0 lead by the 15 minute mark.
Dupuis opened the scoring at 3:03 of the second period with his second playoff goal. The Bombers then converted on a 3-on-2 rush at 6:46 when Tim Konsorada's shot from the high slot found the back of the net. Dayton increased the lead to 3-0 at 14:29 of the period after Brent Walton's pass from the left circle found Joe Cullen alone in the right circle, who one-timed a shot between the pads of Kowalski.
The Everblades however began their comeback late in the second period. With the 'Blades on the power play, Derek Damon made a strong move from the right corner to the front of the net where he jammed a shot past Bombers net minder Adam Berkhoel with 1:32 remaining in the frame. Jon Lehun picked up the lone assist on Damon's fourth playoff goal.
The pressure by the Everblades picked up in the third period. Brad Zancanaro tallied an early power play goal just 2:32 into the period to cut the Bomber lead to one. Zancanaro's second playoff goal came of a slap shot from the right boards that found it's way over the shoulder of Berkhoel. David Brine assisted on the goal.
From that point on, the game was dominated by the Everblades, who out shot Dayton 17-7 in the period. Finally the pressure paid off when Vince Bellissimo's team-leading eight goal with 2:05 remaining in regulation sent the crown into a frenzy. The Everblades took advantage of a Dayton turnover as Ryan Brindley fed to puck to Bellissimo in the right circle, and his quick wrist shot sizzled into the net to tie the game at three, and eventually sending the game to overtime.
A quite first overtime period passed by with the Everblades out shooting the Bombers 7-5, but in the second overtime period the Everblades again pressed the issue, firing 18 shots at Berkhoel, who was equal to the task on all of them.
Overall the Everblades set a new team record with 62 shots on goal, and played their longest game ever by entering a third overtime for the first time in their history. The game itself, was only the ninth time in ECHL history that a game has entered a third overtime.
Kowalski suffered the tough luck loss after stopping 43 of 47 shots, but saw his record in the post season fall to 7-3, while Berkhoel won his fourth straight playoff game by turning away 59 shots to improve to 8-3.
On the power play, the Everblades converted on 2 of their 10 chances, while the Bombers finished the night 1-for-5.
The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice for Game 2 of the American Conference Finals on Thursday, May 10 when they host the Dayton Bombers from Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for Games "G" are on sale now and can be purchased at the Germain Arena box office, or by visiting www.tickermaster.com. The Florida Everblades are now taking 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.
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