Blades rebound in Game 2, upend Stingrays 4-3
Published on April 26, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades battled back after falling in Game 1 to South Carolina to pick up a big 4-3 victory over the Stingrays in Game 2 of the best-of-seven South Division Finals on Saturday night at Germain Arena, evening the series at one apiece. Game 3 is next Friday night at South Carolina.
The Everblades responded after falling in overtime last night in the opening game of the series by playing a more physical, grinding game en-route to a 4-1 lead before eventually holding off a surge by the Stingrays in the final two and half minutes.
The teams battled to a scoreless first period with South Carolina out-shooting the Everblades 10-7, but both goalies made big stops to keep the opponent off the board.
In the second period, both teams struck early. It looked like the Everblades would be first on the board with a flurry of chances 90 seconds into the period, but after a big save by Jonathan Boutin, South Carolina raced out of the zone and Pierre-Luc O'Brien let a slap shot fly from the top of the left circle that sailed past David Leggio and into the net at 2:04.
Just over a minute later the Everblades answered with a power play goal by Kevin Baker. After winning the left side face-off the Everblades worked the puck along the boards. Ernie Hartlieb found Baker at the bottom of the left circle with a perfect pass. Baker then stepped out in front and slipped a shot between the pads of Boutin at 3:23 to tie the game. Peter Metcalf added the second assist.
Just under two minutes later the Everblades grabbed the lead for good when Mathieu Roy jammed home a loose puck at the top of the crease at 5:14. Milan Gajic and Baker worked the puck to the front of the net where Roy was camped out and slipped his shot past Boutin for his first playoff goal.
Leading 2-1 heading into the third period, the Everblades tacked on two more goals in the first eight minutes of the third period to open a 4-1 advantage. Andrew Sweetland notched the third Everblades goal 2:08 into the period when his flip pass from the right circle caromed off a Stingrays defender and into the net. Baker and Mark Lee assisted on Sweetland's second playoff goal.
The Everblades ended up tallying the eventual game-winner at 7:45 when Gajic stick-handled the puck along the left boards before walking to the slot and wristing a shot past Boutin for his second goal of the playoffs. Metcalf and Yannick Tifu added assists on the marker.
South Carolina forced their way back into the game scoring a pair of goal in the final three minutes. O'Brien notched his second goal of the night at 17:32 with a quick shot from the inside of the right circle. The Stingrays then cut the lead to one with 59 seconds remaining in regulation when Nate Kiser's slap shot from the right point found its way into the net.
The Everblades withstood a heavy onslaught by the Stingrays in the final minutes to hang on for the win.
In goal Leggio improved to 5-2 after turning away 18 of 21 shots, Boutin fell to 5-2 after allowing the four goals on 26 shots.
On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 2-of-10, while the Stingrays closed out the game 1-of-5.
BEWARE OF THE BITE! Action You Can Sink Your Teeth Into! 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 Friday, May 1 when they travel to South Carolina to take on the Stingrays in Game 3 of the South Division Finals at the North Charleston Coliseum at 7:05 p.m.
3 Stars:
1 - Kevin Baker - FLA
2 - Milan Gajic - FLA
3 - Mathieu Roy - FLA
ECHL Stories from April 26, 2009
- Blades rebound in Game 2, upend Stingrays 4-3 - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Wranglers Kelly Cup Daily - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Kelly Cup Quest Daily - South Carolina Stingrays
- Aces Throttle Salmon Kings, 8-2 - Alaska Aces
- Salmon Kings Fall To Aces - Victoria Salmon Kings
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.
