ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades open season with 3-2 shootout win

Published on October 15, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (1-0-0) opened their 13th season with an exciting 3-2 shootout victory over division rival Gwinnett (0-0-1) on Friday night at Germain Arena in front of a crowd of 6,294.

The season opener for the two South Division rivals saw Gwinnett come out with the quick jump, and scoring just 1:15 into the game when rookie Aaron Bendickson scooped up a loose puck at the top of the crease shifted to his right and lifted a shot over a sprawling Everblades goaltender Bobby Goepfert for the early advantage.

As the period moved on the Everblades gathered themselves and eventually tied the game when Mitch Fadden took a nice outlet pass from Mike Kennedy at the offensive blueline and skated in on net. As he was being taken down by Gwinnett's Matt Case, Fadden managed to slip the puck between the pads of Gladiators netminder Chris Carrozzi to even the score at 6:15 of the opening period.

With the score tied at one entering the second period, the pace of the game picked up in the second period as both teams stormed the opposing zone only to be turned away by the goaltenders. Just past the midpoint of the second period the Everblades snagged their first lead of the game on a power play tally by Cedric McNicholl.

The play saw McNicholl take a nice lead pass from Bobby Raymond at the offensive line. After cutting from the top of the right circle across to the left circle, the second-year player let a quick wrist shot fly that sailed over the right shoulder of Carrozzi for the 2-1 lead at 12:59.

Although the Everblades carried the 2-1 lead into the third period, the Gladiators converted early in the third period on a 5-on-3 power play. Andy Brandt cashed in on the two-man advantage just 1:30 into the frame on assists from Dan Kissel and Bendickson.

The remainder of regulation again saw Goepfert shine stopping 13 of 14 shots and Carrozzi come up big for Gwinnett turning away all eight shots he faced.

In overtime neither team scored, managing only three combined shots despite skating the final 1:51 three-on-three, sending the game into a shootout. In the shootout the Everblades outscored the Gladiators 2-0 after Alex Imbeault scored on the Everblades first chance with a nice backhand-forehand deke then sealed the win on Fadden's fourth round goal.

In net Goepfert earned the win stopping 33 of 35 shots in regulation and overtime along with turning away all four shooters he faced in the shootout. Carrozzi picked up a tie after stopping 27 of 29 shots in regulation and overtime but allowing two goals in four shootout attempts.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 1-of-6, while Gwinnett closed out the game 1-of-4.

The Everblades and Gladiators meet up again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at Germain Arena.

2010-11 Florida Everblades season ticket packages are available now! For just $66 you can get your piece of the action for next season! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from October 15, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central