ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades power past Gladiators 7-1

Published on January 27, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (25-13-1) snapped their four-game winless streak with their largest offensive output of the year and the strong goaltending of David Shantz to collect a 7-1 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators (25-13-4) on Saturday night at Germain Arena in front of a standing-room only crowd of 7,013.

After tallying three power play goals the night before, the Everblades exploded for four power play markers in this game on an Everblades all-time record 16 power play opportunities. It was an even strength goal however that opened the scoring as David Brine banked a shot off a Gwinnett player and into the net at 4:25 of the first period to put Florida up early. Derek Damon and Ernie Hartlieb assisted on Brine's sixth goal of the season. Reggie Berg then increased the Everblades lead to 2-0 with a power play goal at 10:01 of the opening period with Brent McDonald and Brad Zancanaro assisting.

Gwinnett battled back to tally their only goal of the night on Colton Fretter's 27th goal of the season at 15:33 with the Gladiators enjoying the power play. The Everblades however regained their two-goal lead just 29 seconds later when Dustin Johner blocked a shot at the blue line and raced in on a breakaway beating Gwinnett goalie Dave Caruso up under the cross bar.

Neither team scored in the second period allowing the Everblades to carry their 3-1 lead into the third, where they exploded for four goals, three on the power play. Ernie Hartlieb collected his second goal of the season by collecting a loose puck in the neutral zone and wristing a shot from the right circle inside the left post at 3:57. McDonald then opened a 5-1 lead for the Everblades with a power play marker at 7:53, with Berg and Zancanaro collecting the helpers and Johner notched his second goal of the night at 13:53. Bret Nasby picked up the assist on Johner's 16th goal of the year.

The Everblades closed out the game with their fourth power play goal of the night as Chris Lee tallied a 5-on-3 goal with 50 seconds remaining in regulation to give the 'Blades a 7-1 lead. Johner and Brad Parsons collected the assists on Lee's fourth goal of the year.

In net Shantz was spectacular at times, turning away 30 of the 31 shots he faced to improve his record to 12-6-0. Caruso suffered the loss for the Gladiators allowing the seven goals on 44 shots to see his record fall to 11-6-2.

While the Everblades finished 4-for-16 on the power play, the Gladiators closed out the night 1-for-8 on the

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice on Tuesday, January 30 when they take on the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 8:05 p.m. from the Pensacola Civic Center.

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.

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ECHL Stories from January 27, 2007


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