ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades Open Playoffs with Impressive Win Over Greenville

April 2, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL -- The Florida Everblades used five different goal scorers to defeat the Greenville Road Warriors 5-2, and take a 1-0 series lead in Game One of the ECHL Quaterfinal Playoffs Monday night at Germain Arena.

The league's top two powerplay units saw many opportunities, and the Everblades proved why they are the best. Florida took advantage of a five-on -here opportunity eight minutes into the period when Sabastien Piche sent a puck to David Fischer in the slot. Fischer's slap shot ripped past Greenville goaltender Nic Riopel to give Florida the one goal lead after the first period.

The Everblades opened the floodgates in the second period, opening up the scoring after only one minute of play. Trevor Bruess took advantage of a three-on-one rush into the zone. Bruess eyed the trailer and called is own name firing a high wrist shot past Riopel's glove to extend the Blades lead to 2-0.

Greenville pulled within one nearly three minutes later. Brendon Connolly fired a shot of goal that was hit into the air directly in front of goal pm the backside of Blades neteminderJohn Muse. Chris McKelvie found the puck and tapped it into the net for an easy Road Warrior goal.

Florida took over the rest of the period taking advantage of the second five-on-three chance they were given. David Rutherford found himself with the puck all alone at the top of the crease. Rutherford patiently, switched to the backhand, and lifted the puck past Riopel for the goal to put the score a 3-1.

Matt Beca scored the fourth Everblade goal of the night when he took advantage of another rebound shot in front of the and fought for control of the puck in the crease and was able to push it into the net, giving the Blades a 4-1 lead going into the second break.

The third period saw a lot of physicality from both teams, and the Road Warriors got on the board first. Sean Berkstresser found a loose rebound on the right side of the net and flipped the puck into the open net past Muse to pull his team within two.

However, moments later Cedric McNicoll redirected a Charles Landry shot from the point past Riopel to put the Blades up by three once again by a 5-2 count. A parade of penalties plagued the Road Warriors in the final minutes of the game, as Florida closed out the 5-2 victory.

John Muse earns the win allowing only two goals on 32 attempts while Nic Riopel takes the loss stopping 41 of 45 shots from Florida.

The two teams will meet again for Game Two on Wednesday at Germain Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. The following is a complete schedule of the best-of-five series:

Game One: Monday, April 2, Greenville - 2 at Florida - 5

Game Two: Wednesday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.at Florida

Game Three: Friday, April 6, 7:35 p.m.at Greenville

Game Four Saturday, April 7, 7:05 p.m.at Greenville

** Game Five: Monday, April 9, 7:35 p.m.at Greenville **

**If necessary

To purchase tickets and ticket packages stop by any Ticketmaster outlet, or the Capital Bank Box Office at Germain Arena. The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com For more information regarding playoff packages call 239-948-7825.

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ECHL Stories from April 2, 2012


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