ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades shut down Wildcatters, 4-2

April 4, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (38-25-8) rode 25 saves by goaltender David Shantz and two points each by Derek Damon and Kenndal McArdle to a 4-2 win over the Texas Wildcatters (52-8-11) on Friday night at Germain Arena in front of an energized crowd of 6,526.

The Everblades put up an inspiring fight in the first period against the ECHL South division title holders. Although neither team scored in the first, the teams maintained symmetry with two penalty kills apiece. The Everblades out-shot the Wildcatters 8-7. Shantz had some very impressive goaltending with a couple of quick grabs of the puck. Despite strong efforts by both teams, the teams headed into the second period scoreless.

Early in the second period, the Everblades broke the scoreless tie by registering a power play goal. With Wildcatter David Schulz in the penalty box for boarding, the Everblades took advantage of their power play when David Cornacchia scored the first goal of the game by lifting the puck into the net from the left side of the crease past Texas goalie Kris Tebbs. Cornacchia's 9th goal came at 3:11 with the assists going to Kenndal McArdle and Mike McLean.

The Wildcatters responded by tying up the score at 6:50 when forward Kevin Baker raced into the offensive zone down the left side. After dancing past Everblades defenseman Brett Peterson, Baker's shot was stopped by Shantz, but the big Texas forward chased down his own rebound before slamming the puck into the net and put the score at 1-1.

Not willing to settle for a tied score, Florida quickly bounced back and took advantage of an abandoned Texas net. With Tebbs handling the puck behind the goal, the Wildcatter net-minder inadvertently turned it over to McArdle, who was barely recovering from a hard hit against the boards just minutes earlier, and boosted the puck into the open net. The goal came less than a minute after Texas tied the score and put the Everblades back on top 2-1. McArdle garnered his 3rd goal of the year with an assist by Brandon Roach, his 22nd of the season.

Texas once again tied the game when Jordan Morrison raced down the left boards and snuck the puck past Shantz from the left circle to tie it 2-2 at 13:32. A fast-paced second period came to a close with the Everblades out-shooting Texas 19-13 in the frame, and the teams even on the scoreboard.

Just coming off a power play in the third period, the Everblades took the lead once again when Preston Callander scored at 6:05. Callander notched his 24th goal of the year by digging the puck free from the right corner and walking to the top of the crease, where he unleashed a wrist shot that found the top corner of the net. Damon and Peter Aston notched the assists.

Determined to add to their lead rather than have Texas tie it up again, the Everblades found some breathing room when Damon stole the puck in the neutral zone, weaved toward the goal and punched the puck into the net from the top of the crease. Damon, who was just named a member of the Second Team All-ECHL, lifted his goal tally to 25.

Despite their best effort, Texas was unable to come back as the Everblades held strong to maintain their 4-2 lead for the win.

In net Shantz improved to 8-2-2 in his last 12 starts and to 11-5-5 overall. Tebbs took the loss after allowing the four goals on 34 shots, dropping his record to 13-4-3.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 1-for-6 while Texas went 0-for-3.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades finish off the regular season Saturday in Estero at 7:30 when they take on the Texas Wildcatters. Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Stop by the Germain Arena box office to reserve your seat for all the exciting action! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

Stars:

1) Derek Damon - FLA

2) Preston Callander - FLA

3) Kenndal McArdle - FLA

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 4, 2008


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.

OurSports Central