Blades Maintain 2-1 Series Lead Despite 5-3 Loss on Friday
April 9, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (2-1) fell to the Roanoke Express (1-2) 5-3 in front of 5,590 at TECO Arena on Friday night. Florida still holds a 2-1 series lead and can wrap up the series Monday night at 7:30 PM in Game 4 back at TECO Arena.
Florida got on the scoreboard first when Tom Buckley one timed a Ryan Brindley pass past Roanoke goaltender Jason Wolfe for his 5th goal of the playoffs. Over four minutes later, Roanoke tied the game when Dan Carlson found a loose puck in front and whipped a wrist shot passed goaltender Jeff Maund. Florida regained the lead when Damian Surma completed a beautiful passing play on the powerplay and Florida led 2-1. However, Roanoke tied the game again less than a minute later when Joe Dusbabek swiped a puck that Maund hadn't fully covered and it deflected up and over Maund and the score was tied at two after one period of play.
In the second period former Everblade Carl Mallette gave Roanoke its first lead of the series finishing off an odd man rush at the 4:31 mark. Florida tied the game when Damian Surma jumped on a rebound and fired the puck high into the net for his second goal of the night. Mallette struck again for the Express when he banked the puck in off Maund at the 10:53 mark of the middle period. That goal would prove to be the game winner and Dusbabek added an empty net goal in the third period for his second goal of the game.
Florida goaltender Jeff Maund stopped 15 of 19 shots and was replaced in the second period by Rob Zepp who stopped 13 of 13 shots. Roanoke goaltender Jason Wolfe stopped 43 of 46 shots. Florida finished 1 for 6 on the power play while Roanoke went 2 for 5.
Florida and Roanoke will meet again on Monday night at TECO Arena for Game 4 of the best of five first round series. Face off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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