ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades lose wild-west shootout 7-6 to Stingrays

March 13, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (37-18-5) earned a point in the standings after falling in shootout 7-6 to the South Carolina Stingrays (31-23-7) on Tuesday night at Germain Arena in front of a crowd of 6,123.

In a game that turned wild in the third period, and saw both teams hold and cough-up leads, the Everblades set a new team record for the most goals scored by both teams in one period as the clubs combined for nine third period goals.

With the Everblades leading 2-1 entering the third period the flood-gates were let loose in the final period when Adam Taylor staked Florida to a 3-1 lead at the 4:02 mark. The goal was Taylor's 19th of the season and came on an assist from Vince Bellissimo. The two goal advantage for the Everblades evaporated quickly though, as South Carolina scored the game's next three goals in a span of 1:04. T.J. McElroy began the South Carolina comeback with a power play goal at 6:13. Chris Chaput then tied the contest at three at 7:06 and Matt Reid gave the 'Rays their second lead of the night 11 seconds later with a slap shot from the top of the left circle that sailed over the glove of Everblades goaltender Justin Peters.

Reeling from the barrage, the Everblades used their 30-second timeout to settle things down, then returned fire with three straight goals in a span of 4:01. Reggie Berg notched his 23rd goal of the season at the nine minute mark to even the score at four by deflecting a pass from the left circle past Stingrays goaltender Davis Parley. Jon Lehun then tallied on a 2-on-1 rush 36 seconds after Berg's goal to give Florida the lead back. Derek Damon and Martin Tuma collected the assists on Lehun's 19th goal of the season. At 13:01 Bellissimo fired a shot from the slot past Parley to open a 6-4 Everblades lead with assists going to Frank MacDonald and Taylor.

The Stingrays worked their way back into the game with a pair of goals in the final five minutes. South Carolina cut the lead to one on Cail MacLean's 23rd goal of the season at 15:13, and then with the Parley pulled for the extra attacker Jarrett Konkel notched his second goal of the night with 47 seconds remaining in regulation.

Konkel opened the game's scoring with his seventh goal of the year coming at 7:05 of the first period to give South Carolina the early lead. The Everblades however answered with two late power play goals. Jarret Lukin scored his fourth goal of the season at 18:16 of the opening period with the Everblades enjoying a 5-on-3 power play. Dustin Johner and Ryan Brindley assisted on the goal. On the ensuing 5-on-4 power play Damon launched a one-time slap shot from the high slot beating Parley along the ice at 18:50 to open the 2-1 lead. Brad Zancanaro and Brent McDonald assisted on Damon's 17th goal of the year.

After neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period, the game moved to a shootout. Each team failed to convert on their first three attempts, but in round four Konkel fired a wrist shot just under the cross bar to give South Carolina the advantage. Johner missed in the fourth round for the Everblades and Peter Szabo sealed the game for the Stingrays with a goal in the fifth round, pushing South Carolina's winning streak to four.

In net Peters, who was making his Everblades debut, picked up a tie in the standings after allowing the six goals on 28 shots in regulation and overtime and allowing two goals on the five shooters faced in the shootout. Parley collected the win by turning away 22 of 28 shots in regulation and overtime and stopping all four shooters in the shootout.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out the night 2-for-6, while the Stingrays finished the game 1-for-6.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice on Wednesday, March 14 when they host the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. 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.

3 Stars:

1 - Jarrett Konkel - SC

2 - Adam Taylor - FLA

3 - Matt Reid - SC

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 13, 2007


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