ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades power past IceGators 6-5

Published on January 29, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (22-13-6) picked up five power play goals, plus a hat-trick by Brad Church to come-from-behind to defeat the Louisiana IceGators 6-5 on Saturday night at Germain Arena. The win was Florida's third straight and pushed the Everblades record to 5-0-3 in their last eight home games.

The 'Blades earned their 11th come-from-behind win this season with the help of three power play goals in the third period. Church, who opened the scoring with a power play goal at 3:11 of the first period, chipped in with two of the third period tallies, and Reggie Berg notched the eventual game-winner on the man-advantage at 10:04 of the final period. The goals came with Florida trailing 5-3 entering the final period, and with the help of six power play chances in the period. The biggest penalty called on Louisiana, who have now lost five straight, was a five-minute boarding major on Doug MacIver during which the Everblades scored twice.

Florida spent most of the game trailing thanks to three first period goals for Louisiana. Following Church's goal in the first, the IceGators collected two goals from Roger Leonard and one from David Bararuk in a span of five minutes and six seconds to lead 3-1 by the 11:05 mark of the opening period. The Everblades cut the lead down to one goal late in the first period when David Lundbohm picked up his sixth goal of the season at 18:15.

In the second period, the Everblades tied the game 3:37 into the frame when Damian Surma connected on the power play to tie the contest at three. However, shortly after, starting goaltender Rob Zepp left the game with a knee injury at 5:59 of the second and was replaced by Craig Kowalski. Louisiana proceeded to pepper the net with shots, and regained the lead at 6:54 on a power play goal by Mark Rooneem. The IceGators opened their second two-goal lead of the game at 17:17 of the period on Bararuk's second goal of the night.

Kowalski was the goalie of record picking up the win after allowing two goals on the 14 shots he faced in the 34:04 played. Kowalski raised his record to 13-6-5. Kyle Kettles suffered the loss for Louisiana allowing six goals on 37 shots, dropping his record to 4-6-1. The Everblades closed out the night 5-for-9 on the power play, while the IceGators finished 2-for-6 on the man advantage. Florida is now 2-0-0 vs. Louisiana this season, with four games remaining in the season series.

Florida returns to action on Tuesday, February 1 when they host the Augusta Lynx at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena. Tickets are available for Tuesday's game and fans can call (239) 948-7825 for ticket information. Tune to SportsRadio 770 AM or visit www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com to hear all the action with the "Voice of the Everblades" Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.

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ECHL Stories from January 29, 2005


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