'Blades force Game Seven with 6-3 win
May 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - With their hockey lives on the line the Florida Everblades answered the bell in Game 6 of the American Conference Finals by coming from behind to upend the Dayton Bombers 6-3 on Thursday night at Germain Arena in front of a crowd of 5,301. With the win, the Everblades staved off elimination and forced a Game 7 tomorrow night at Germain Arena.
Despite bringing the early pressure the Everblades, who out-shoot Dayton 17-9 in the first period, found themselves trailing in the game 2-0 with 22 seconds left in the opening period. Philippe Dupuis tallied Dayton's first power play goal of the night at 17:30 by deflecting a shot from the left boards into the net. Just over two minutes later Yannick Tifu notched the Bombers' second power play goal by tipping a point shot past Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski.
The Everblades seemed destined to enter the locker room down 2-0, but Vince Bellissimo trimmed the lead to one with just 10 seconds remaining the opening period when he picked up the rebound of Frank MacDonald's shot and slipped it past Dayton goaltender Adam Berkhoel.
The second period opened with the Bombers enjoying a power play, but it was the Everblades that capitalized 57 seconds into the frame on Dustin Johner's first short-handed goal of the night. Johner's wrist shot from the left circle sailed past Berkhoel after Jon Lehun's clearing attempt snuck past the right defenseman of the Bombers. The jubilation however was short-lived as Trevor Hendrikx gave the Bombers back the lead at 3-2 with his second playoff goal at 2:04.
The score remained 3-2 Dayton as the period rolled along, but saw the Everblades again bring the pressure. The pressure finally led to a goal with 3:04 remaining in the frame when Derek Damon swung behind the Dayton net and stepped out at the right post where he lifted a shot over the shoulder of Berkhoel tying the game at three. Jarret Lukin and Steve Czech assisted on Damon's fifth playoff tally.
In the final 20 minutes of play, both teams came out hungry and created chances. But it was again the short-handed Everblades that broke the 3-3 deadlock. For the second time in the game, Johner broke in on Berkhoel, but this time on the right side. In the 2-on-1 rush, Johner elected to shoot and slipped his shot from the right circle between the pads of the Bomber net minder, giving Florida the lead for the first time at 11:14.
The backbreaking goal came for the Everblades just 1:09 later when Bellissimo notched his second tally of the game and his 11th of the post-season from the slot. Brad Parsons and MacDonald assisted on the goal which gave Florida some breathing room.
Over the final seven minutes of regulation, the Bombers came at the Everblades with everything they could, including pulling Berkhoel for an extra attacker with two minutes remaining in the game. The extra pressure resulted in some chances for Dayton, but in the end the Everblades cleared the puck free from their end of the ice and Brent McDonald fired home an empty net goal from center ice with 1:29 remaining in the game. Brad Zancanaro and David Brine picked up the assists on McDonald's first goal of the playoffs.
Kowalski came up big when he had to, stopping 26 of 29 shots to raise his playoff record to 10-5. Berkhoel suffered the loss allowing five goals on 45 shots which dropped his post-season record to 10-6.
On the power play, the Everblades finished 0-for-6, while the Bombers closed out the night 2-for-7.
The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice for Game 7 of the American Conference Finals on Friday, May 18 when they host the Dayton Bombers at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Tickets for Game "I" 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 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.
3 Stars:
1 - Dustin Johner - FLA
2 - Vince Bellissimo - FLA
3 - Frank MacDonald - FLA
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