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ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades squeak out 3-2 OT win over Gladiators

January 31, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


DULUTH, GA - The Florida Everblades (31-9-2) picked up an overtime power play goal by Kevin Baker to squeeze out a 3-2 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators (18-19-5) on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 6,256 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

A slashing penalty against Gwinnett's Pat Bateman led to Florida's eighth power play of the night. After failing to convert on their previous seven chances Baker ended the contest with 1:22 remaining in the overtime period with his 36th goal of the season.

The game-winning play began with a shot by Peter Metcalf from the blue line at the middle of the ice. His shot hit Danick Bouchard in front of the net and dropped to the ice, where Bouchard swept the puck toward the left post. Baker streaked in from the left circle and lifted a shot over sprawling Gwinnett goaltender Joe Fallon, sending the Everblades spilling off the bench in celebration.

Although neither team played their best hockey on this night, a fast paced first period saw each team bring waves of pressure at different times leading to the Everblades carrying a 2-1 lead into the locker room. After playing scoreless hockey over the first 10 minutes that featured each team getting some chances, the Everblades kicked it into high gear scoring twice in less than a minute just past the midway point.

The first of those goals came off the stick of rookie Andrew Fournier who's wrist shot from the inside of the right circle sailed over the blocker of Fallon and off the inside of the left post before dropping into the net. The goal was the first of Fournier's pro career and was assisted by Ernie Hartlieb and Patrick Bordeleau at 12:11.

Just 48 seconds later Ryan Lang cashed in his 15th goal of the year after being left all alone in the slot allowing Hartlieb to find him with a quick pass before he fired a quick shot over the glove of Fallon. Bordeleau also notched a helper on the tally that opened the 2-0 lead.

As the period progressed the Gladiators stabilized themselves and then brought a wave of pressure at the Everblades leading to their lone first period goal. At 16:05 newcomer Tom Zanoski completed a 2-on-1 rush with a one-time shot from the right circle that sailed past a moving Anton Khudobin and into the net to cut the lead in half.

The Gladiators battled their way back to tie the score midway through the second period. Just after the Everblades had killed off Gwinnett's fourth power play of the night, Josh Engle's long pass up ice hit Pat Bateman in stride at the Florida blue-line where he split the defense and broke in alone on Khudobin before beating him with a shot between the legs at 10:57.

In the scoreless third period both Khudobin and Fallon were the story keeping their team in the game by making big saves. Khudobin turned away seven Gladiator chances in the frame, including a pair of 10-bell saves on back-to-back shots late in the period with Gwinnett on the power play, and Fallon stopped all 12 shots he faced in the period to help push the game to overtime.

Overall Khudobin improved to 15-6-1 by stopping 30 shots, and improved to 6-2-0 vs. Gwinnett. Fallon earned a tie in the standings by turning away 37 of 40 shots in regulation and overtime to see his record go to 12-6-2 overall and 0-2-1 vs. Florida.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 1-of-8, while Gladiators closed out the game 0-of-9.

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 Tuesday, February 3 when they host the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:30 from Germain Arena.

3 Stars:

1 - Kevin Baker - FLA

2 - Tom Zanoski - GWI

3 - Anton Khudobin - FLA

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