Blades Sweep Cottonmouths with 4-3 Win
Published on February 22, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (31-15-10) swept the Columbus Cottonmouths (18-28-8) after they stole a 4-3 win in front of a sold out crowd of 7,181 at TECO Arena on Saturday night. Florida defenseman Ryan Murphy netted two goals and defenseman Lee Ruff picked up the game winning goal with just :16 remaining in the game.
The Everblades got on the board first on a one time shot off the stick of defenseman Jon Insana at the 6:24 mark of the first period. The Cottonmouths then came back and tied the contest at 8:29 of the first period on a quick slapshot goal on the power play from defenseman Jerome Bechard. Florida forward Laurent Meunier then slipped a pass into the slot to Ryan Murphy who fired the puck past Columbus netminder Mike Morrison on the power play to give the Everblades a 2-1 lead in the first period. Murphy then added another goal late in the first period to make it 3-1. Laurent Meunier picked up his third assist of the period on Murphy's 23rd goal of the season.
The Cottonmouths came back in the second period and made it 3-2 after Andrew Long buried a rebound at the 11:55 mark of the period. Columbus forward Sean McAslan then notched his 13th goal of the year at the 12:49 mark to tie the game at 3-3.
In the third period, Florida forward Tom Buckley won an offensive zone draw and defenseman Lee Ruff skated the puck around the Columbus net and tucked the puck between the legs of goaltender Mike Morrison with just :16 seconds in regulation to give the Everblades the 4-3 win.
Florida goaltender Randy Petruk (2-0-0) stopped 21 of 24 shots he faced while Columbus netminder Mike Morrison (5-15-6) stopped 30 of 34 shots. The Everblades were 1 for 8 on the power play while the Cottonmouths were 1 for 4.
The Blades take on the Jackson Bandits on Tuesday, February 25th at TECO Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 PM. All 72 regular season games can be heard on Sportsradio 770 AM and on the web at www.floridaeverblades.com.. For group or season tickets call (239) 948-7825, for single game tickets call Ticketmaster at (239) 334-3309.
3 Stars:
1 - Ruff - FLA
2 - Murphy - FLA
3 -Meunier - FLA
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