ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades fall in OT to Gladiators

January 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (24-13-1) earned a point in the standings after a furious three-goal come-back in the third period to tie the game, but coughed up the extra point as the Gwinnett Gladiators (25-12-4) picked up a 6-5 overtime victory on Friday night at Germain Arena in front of a standing-room only crowd of 7,463.

The special teams ruled the night as only three of the 11 goals scored came even strength. The Gladiators collected four power play markers, including the game-winner in overtime, and the Everblades added three power play goals and one short-handed tally.

The scoring opened with the Gladiators' Chad Pinchaud being awarded a penalty shot and converting at 16:40 of the first period. Just over a minute later, the Everblades tied the game with their league leading 16th short-handed goal of the season when Steve Czech fired a quick shot from the high slot at 17:55 to tie the game. Dustin Johner and Chris Dyment assisted on Czech's second goal of the season.

A big moment of the game came late in the first period with the Everblades down two men. While on the 5-on-3 power play, the Gladiators cashed in on both chances. Jamie Milam scored the first of his two goals at 19:12 of the opening period and Colton Fretter beat Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski with just 10 seconds remaining in the frame to give Gwinnett the 3-1 lead after one period.

Each team traded second period goals with the Everblades scoring first. Brent McDonald collected the first of his two markers on the night just 1:26 into the second period by slipping a shot between the arm and body of Gwinnett net minder Dan Turple. Frank MacDonald and Brad Zancanaro collected the assists on McDonald's 12th goal of the season and first since December 10.

Leading 3-2, Gwinnett took advantage of Chris Lee falling behind the Everblades net to see Bryan Dobek wrist home his second goal of the season to regain the two-goal lead, which is how the teams entered the locker rooms after two periods.

The Everblades had to dig deep to come from behind after Blue Bennefield gave Gwinnett a 5-2 lead 7:01 into the third period with the Gladiators third power play goal of the night. But from there, the Everblades began their barrage. Just as Gwinnett had earlier, the Everblades converted on both ends of a 5-on-3 power play midway through the third period. Reggie Berg notched his team-leading 20th goal of the season at 11:06 with assists going to Lee and Dyment, and McDonald trimmed the Gwinnett lead to one just 1:26 later on assists by Zancanaro and Lee.

With the teams back at full strength, just over two minutes later Brett Peterson tallied his eight goal of the season by collecting a rebound on the door step and sliding past Turple at 14:41. Despite their best efforts, which included a power play late in regulation, the Everblades couldn't muster the game winner.

In the five-minute overtime period, the Gladiators were able to convert their fourth power play goal of the night to earn the extra point. The power play, which drew the ire of the Everblades bench, saw Milam notch his second goal of the night at 1:20 to give Gwinnett the victory when his slap shot from the high slot beat Kowalski inside the left post.

In goal, Kowalski earned a tie in the standings stopping 31 of 37 shots to bring his record to 13-7-1. Turple won his third straight against the Everblades by turning away 33 of 38 shots, raising his record to 14-7-2.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice on Saturday, January 27 when they take on the Gladiators at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Saturday's game will be another television broadcast on MY TV-8.

Florida Everblades full season tickets & mini-plans are now available! 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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ECHL Stories from January 26, 2007


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