ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades fall late to Gwinnett 4-2

December 7, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


DULUTH, GA - The Florida Everblades (13-8-0) suffered a tough loss to Gwinnett on Friday night after allowing the Gladiators (14-5-1) to come-from-behind late in the third period to earn a 4-2 win in front of a crowd of 8,811 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The loss was the second straight on the three-game road trip for the Everblades.

The Everblades came out strong in the opening period dominating the play, but saw the score tied at one at the end of the first 20 minutes. The Everblades, who out-shot Gwinnett 19-7 in the period, opened the scoring at 2:19 when Brandon Roach let a wrist shot fly from the right point that sailed over the blocker of Gwinnett goaltender Craig Kowalski and under the cross bar for a 1-0 lead. Roach's third goal of the season was assisted on by Jarret Lukin and Brad Herauf. The Gladiators however evened the score less than five minutes later. Gwinnett captain Mike Vigilante deflected a point shot by Jamie Milam past Everblades goaltender Tyler Plante at 7:12.

Although the second period was scoreless, the teams combined for a number of good chances as Gwinnett edged the Everblades in shots 13-11 in the frame, but both goaltenders kept the opponent off the board, sending the game into the third period tied 1-1.

Early in the third period the Everblades regained the lead when Mathieu Melanson tallied his team-leading 15th goal of the year on a wrist shot from the top of the left circle at 2:49. Roach and Brad Zancanaro earned the assists on the goal which came with a delayed penalty coming against the Gladiators.

The turning point of the game however came midway through the final period when the Gladiators converted on a pair of power play opportunities. The first came at 10:39 when Dirk Southern tapped home a pass from Vigilante at the left post to even the score at two. Gwinnett then took the lead for good on Jeff Mason's first goal of the season at 12:57 when his shot from the left point found it's way past Plante and into the net.

The Everblades brought the pressure late in the game and even had a late power play opportunity to work with, but unfortunately couldn't find the equalizer. The Gladiators then sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 43 seconds remaining as Vigilante slipped a shot into the goal from the top of the left circle.

Plante saw his record fall to 4-4-0 after allowing three of the goals on 33 shots, while Kowalski improved his record to 10-3-1 by turning away 36 of 38 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 0-for-5, while the Gladiators finished 2-for-6.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades return to action on Saturday, December 8 when they travel to Colubmia to take on the Inferno at 7:05 p.m. from The Carolina Coliseum. The Everblades next home game is on Tuesday, December 11 when they host the Texas Wildcatters at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Stop by the Germain Arena box office to reserve your seat for all the exciting action! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

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ECHL Stories from December 7, 2007


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