ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades gain point, but lose 4-3 in OT to Wildcatters

December 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (14-8-1) exciting come back effort on a hat-trick goal by Mathieu Melanson was thwarted by the Texas Wildcatters' third power play goal of the game three minutes into overtime, giving the visitors a 4-3 win in front of a crowd of 4,504 on Tuesday night at Germain Arena.

The first of three straight games between the South Division rivals was at times as intense as a playoff game as the teams fought back-and-forth in the goal scoring department. The Everblades opened the scoring on Melanson's first tally of the night with 4:29 remaining in the first period. Melanson notched his team leading 16th goal of the year by deflecting a pass from the right boards from Steve Ward past Texas net-minder Peter Aubry. Adam Taylor notched the second assist on the tally.

The Wildcatters (18-2-4) however responded just under three minutes later to tie the game at one. With the Wildcatters on the power play, former Everblade John McNabb deflected a point shot by Max Taylor into the net at 18:27. Texas then grabbed their first lead of the night early in the second period when Dan Welch wristed a pass by McNabb past Everblades goaltender Justin Peters just 40 seconds into the middle frame.

The game remained 2-1 in favor of Texas until just past the mid point of the second period. That's when Melanson tallied his second of the night with the Everblades on the power play. At 14:31 Melanson handled the puck at the top of the right circle and after faking a shot twice, let a slap shot fly that clanged off the inside of the right post and into the net, tying the score at two. Ernie Hartlieb and Joe Guenther assisted on Melanson's 17th of the year.

Texas only needed 1:26 after that goal to regain the lead at 15:27. Max Taylor tapped in a centering pass from McNabb at the left post with the Wildcatters on the power play. The 3-2 lead was carried by Texas into the third period and was held by the Wildcatters until the final 64 seconds of regulation. With the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, the Everblades worked the puck to the front of the net for a scoring chance. The puck was kick, hacked and pinballed to the right post where Melanson swept home the tying goal. Melanson's hat-trick goal was assisted by Adam Taylor and Dan Collins and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Neither team scored over the remaining 1:04 sending the game into overtime. Just a minute and 30 seconds into the overtime period, Brad Zancanaro was whistled for a hooking penalty, giving Texas their seventh power play of the night. On the ensuing 4-on-3 power play Ross Carlson's shot from the right point ricocheted off a player in front of the Everblades net and redirected into to goal at the 3:00 mark, giving Texas the victory. The overtime decision moved the Everblades to 1-1 in overtime games and Texas to 1-0.

Peters saw his record go to 10-4-1 after earning a tie in goal for the Everblades stopping 29 of 33 shots. Aubry improved to 10-2-1 after turning away 29 of 32 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 1-for-5, while the Wildcatters finished 3-for-7.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades return to action on Friday, December 14 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 11, 2007


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