ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades hit the all-star break on winning note

January 22, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (20-13-6) scored four third period goals to come from behind and up-end the Gwinnett Gladiators 5-3 on Saturday night at Germain Arena. The come-from-behind win for the 'Blades was their ninth this season.

Brad Church, Brent McDonald, Damian Surma and Kris Vernarsky all scored in the final period for the Everblades, who trailed 3-1 entering the frame. The first three goals came in a span of 2:02 in the first 4:40 of the period. Church cracked the floodgates at 2:38 by deflecting a shot past Gwinnett net-minder Simon Lajeunesse. McDonald pushed them open further at 3:49 and Surma let the flood loose at 4:40 rifling at shot into the upper corner of the net giving Florida the 4-3 lead.

Gwinnett established a 3-1 advantage by scoring three straight goals after falling behind 1-0 to the 'Blades 44 seconds into the game on Vernarsky's first goal of the night. Jim Jackson and Jeff Campbell picked up first period goals on Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski, and Peter Flache notched a second period goal to give Gwinnett the two-goal lead.

Vernarsky sealed the win for Florida picking up an empty net goal with 48 seconds remaining in the game, snapping Florida's string of five consecutive overtime games.

Kowalski picked up the win in goal by stopping 30 of 33 shots to raise his record to 12-6-5. Lajeunesse suffered the loss allowing four goals on 29 shots faced, falling to 1-3-0.

The win brought the Everblades record go to 3-0-1 against Gwinnett this season. The Everblades closed out the day 0-for-7 on the power play, while the Gladiators finished 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

Florida returns to action on Friday, January 28 when they host the Louisiana IceGators at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena. Tickets are available for Friday's game and fans can call (239) 948-7825 for ticket information. Tune to SportsRadio 770 AM or visit www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com to hear all the action with the "Voice of the Everblades" Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.

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ECHL Stories from January 22, 2005


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