ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades take 3-2 series lead after 4-2 win at Texas

April 30, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


BEAUMONT, TX - The Florida Everblades battled hard in Game 5 of their best-of-seven South Division Final series and earned a 4-2 win over the Texas Wildcatters on Monday night at Ford Arena in front of a crowd of 1,392. The win allowed the Everblades to take a 3-games-to-2 series lead back to Florida for Game 6.

Game 5 started with Texas tallying the first goal when Mike Bayrack scored his second playoff goal by banging a rebound past Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski at 10:23 of the opening period. The Everblades however responded with the next two goals, including David Brine's third playoff goal just 1:37 after Texas took the lead. Brad Zancanaro assisted on the goal that evened the score 1-1. Shortly after, the Everblades grabbed the lead with the first of their two power play tallies. Vince Bellissimo hacked home a loose puck from the right post at 14:06 as Adam Taylor and Brad Parsons collected the helpers on Bellissimo's sixth playoff goal.

The Everblades notched the lone second period goal as Bellissimo collected his second power play goal of the night after a nice centering pass from Parsons that was touched between the pads of Texas goaltender Matt Yeats at 2:45 of the period. Taylor notched his second assist of the game on Bellissimo's seven goal of the post season.

As the third period started, the Wildcatters came out flying and scored their second goal just 1:59 into the period as Mark Rooneem notched his first playoff goal after a centering feed from Daniel Sparre. Under relentless attack, the Everblades managed a turnover of their own as Parson intercepted a pass in the Texas zone and lazered home a wrist shot from the high slot at 5:11. From there Craig Kowalski took over for the Everblades stopping the next nine shot he faced during the third period to pick up the win and raise his playoff record to 6-2. Overall Kowalski turned away 24 of 26 shots. Yeats suffered the loss, dropping his playoff record to 2-3 after allowing the four goals on 28 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the game 2-for-6, while the Wildcatters closed out the night 0-for-6.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to action on Friday, May 4 when they host the Texas Wildcatters for Game 6 of the best-of-seven South Division Finals series from Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Game "E" which is Game 6 of the South Division Finals are on sale now and can be purchased at the Germain Arena Box Office or online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The Florida Everblades are now accepting deposits on 2007-08 season tickets! Reserve your seat for all the exciting action today by calling (239) 948-7825. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

Three Stars:

1) Vince Bellissimo - FLA

2) Brad Parsons - FLA

3) Mike Bayrack - TEX

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ECHL Stories from April 30, 2007


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