ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades ride goaltending to 3-2 win over Mississippi

Published on March 14, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


BILOXI, MS - The Florida Everblades (41-16-4) ended their eight-game road winless streak thanks to solid goaltending from Kyle Gajewski and late third period heroics from Milan Gajic to collect a 3-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves (27-29-7) on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 7,417.

A first period that was controlled by Mississippi saw both teams notch a goal in the opening 20 minutes. Although the Sea Wolves came out flying the opening five minutes, out-shooting the Everblades 6-0, it was Florida that tallied the game's first goal.

After dumping the puck in, Ernie Hartlieb forced a turnover in the right wing corner before finding Colin Nicholson alone in the slot with a quick pass. After a quick look at the net, Nicholson whipped a shot by Mississippi goaltender Ryan Munce low on the stick side at 5:39 for his 11th goal of the year.

Early in became evident that Gajewski was going to be a key to keeping the game close as the rookie net-minder turned in several big saves in the opening period including stopping two shots on a short-handed breakaway with the Blades on their first power play.

Despite those saves, the Sea Wolves still converted a short-handed goal when Jason Tejchma finished off a 2-on-1 rush after taking a pass from Mark Rooneem in the right circle. Tejchma's 18th goal of the year came at 9:01 of the period to even the score at one.

After a scoreless second period that saw Mississippi Sea Wolves out-shoot the Everblades 12-8, tempers flared up and both teams came together at center ice after the buzzer sounded.

Identical to the prior night, Mississippi grabbed a lead of 2-1 early in the third period when Robin Cruthers tipped home a shot off a right circle face-off for his 28th goal of the year at 5:06.

Shortly after that goal, the Everblades started to turn on the pressure and eventually worked their way back into a tie on Nicholson's second goal of the night off a deflection of a Dominic D'Amour shot at 10:56 of the third period. Hartlieb chipped in his second assist of the night.

With the game tied the Everblades kept the pressure on against a tiring Mississippi team and found the game-winner late off the stick of Gajic. As Gajic brought the puck into the offensive zone, he was held up and a penalty was coming against the Sea Wolves, but Gajic was allowed to walk to the front of the net where he lifted a wrist shot over the glove of Munce and into the net at 17:19. Doug O'Brien picked up the lone assist on the game-winner.

In net Gajewski, who was making his first start with the Everblades, picked up the win by turning away 26 of 28 shots which improved his overall record to 9-11-2. Munce (23-19-4) took the loss after allowing the three goals on 31 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 0-of-5, while Sea Wolves closed out the game 0-of-7.

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 15 when take on the Gwinnett Gladiators from the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 4:05 p.m. The Everblades return home on Tuesday, March 17 when they host the Charlotte Checkers at 7:30 p.m.

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ECHL Stories from March 14, 2009


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