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Florida Everblades

Blades pull out 4-3 shootout win over Charlotte

March 20, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - The Florida Everblades (43-17-5) won their second straight game over the Charlotte Checkers (32-25-7) after pulling out a 4-3 shootout win on Friday night.

Although the two teams skated to a scoreless first period, the Everblades dominated the opening 20 minutes out-shooting the Checkers 18-7 and controlling the territorial play. The second period saw more good action as the Checkers began to climb back into the game with their play as they out-shot Florida 19-10 in the frame, but still neither team was able to find the back of the net sending the teams to the second intermission still scoreless.

In the third period both teams found their scoring touch with each club scoring twice in the first six minutes and finishing regulation tied a three. The scoring opened quickly in the final period when Jeff Miles got the Checkers on the board just 1:28 into the period after wristing a shot from the slot past goaltender Kyle Gajewski.

The Everblades responded two minutes later with the first of their three power play goals after Milan Gajic picked up a rebound off Checkers net-minder Jeff Jakaitis at the top of the crease and slipping it home at 3:24. The goal was Gajic's second of the season and was assisted by Mark Lee and Peter Metcalf.

The Everblades then grabbed the lead on a strange play that ended with Charlotte defenseman Ethan Graham inadvertently kicking the puck into his own net. While on the power play, Doug O'Brien fired a shot toward the Checker's net. The puck ricocheted off the back of Mathieu Roy and then off the end boards before bouncing back to the left post where it caromed off Graham's skate at 4:41. Roy was credited with the goal, his 21st of the season with the assists going to O'Brien and Ross Carlson.

The lead was short-lived however as Chris Capraro evened the score at two at 5:38 when he banged home a rebound in the feet of Gajewski.

The game remained 2-2 until the later stages of the third period when the Everblades took advantage of a four minute high sticking penalty by Jesse Dudas. At 13:49 Roy tallied his second goal of the night by collecting a rebound at the right side of the crease off Jakaitis' glove and sweeping it into the net. O'Brien and A.J. Thelen picked up the assists.

The Everblades' lead would hold until the closing minute of the game before Charlotte tied the contest in dramatic fashion. Prior to the game tying goal however, the Everblades were whistled for removing the goal intentionally which led to a penalty shot for Miles. Gajewski though, came up big stopping Miles with just over a minute in regulation.

Charlotte however still found a way to tie the score with the goaltender pulled and on the power play when Miles collected his second goal of the night by swatting home a centering pass from Capraro with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

After neither team scored in the overtime, the game moved to a shootout where Florida out-scored Charlotte 3-1. The Everblades got goals from Andrew Sweetland, Milan Gajic and Kevin Baker.

The win improved Florida to 7-6-2 vs. Charlotte this season and improved them to 2-3 in shootouts.

In net Gajewski notched his third straight win as an Everblade and bumped up his overall record to 11-11-2 after turning away 34 of 37 shots in regulation and overtime. Jakaitis (21-14-6) got credit for a tie after stopping 53 of 56 shots in regulation and overtime.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 3-of-4, while Checkers closed out the game 1-of-3.

BEWARE OF THE BITE! Action You Can Sink Your Teeth Into! Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Visit the Germain Arena Box Office M-F from 10-6 to purchase tickets, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com or call 239-948-PUCK for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

The Everblades return to action on Sunday, March 22 when they travel to Charlotte to take on the Checkers at 4:00 p.m. from Time Warner Cable Arena. The Everblades' next home game is on Saturday, March 28 when they host the Charlotte Checkers at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena.

3 Stars:

1 - Mathieu Roy - FLA

2 - Jeff Miles - CHR

3 - Chris Capraro - CHR

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ECHL Stories from March 20, 2009


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