Blades Top Checkers, 5-3
October 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO FL - The Florida Everblades kicked off their twelfth home opener against the Charlotte Checkers Friday night. Prior to the game, the Everblades were presented the Brabham Cup Trophy for best regular-season record for 2008-09. Blades defensemen Elgin Reid led the team tonight, finishing with two goals in a 5-3 win over the Charlotte Checkers. Florida winger Milan Gajic added two assists in the win, while Charlotte's centerman Michel Leveille chipped in two goals of his own in a losing effort.
Both teams began the first period playing physical with excellent end-to-end action in front of a near-capacity crowd. The Everblades got onto the score sheet at 9:01 in the first. Milan Gajic skated into the Checkers zone and threw the puck on net while Defensemen Cleve Kinley was there to clean up the rebound for his first goal of the season. Just a little over four minutes after the Kinley goal the Blades made it 2-0, when defensemen Elgin Reid buried Rob Hennigar's feed from the corner, A.J. Thelen also picked up an assist. The Blades out shot the Checkers 13-4 and the Everblades finished the period one of five on the power-play, while Charlotte finished 0-2.
The physical play from the first stanza carried over to a scoreless second. Both teams had multiple scoring chances, however, both goaltenders for their respective teams were exceptionally sharp. Blades goaltender Mike Morrison made eight saves, while Charlotte goaltender Matt Zaba made 12 stops in the second stanza. The Checkers penalty kill weathered the Everblades three power-play opportunities including a brief five-on-three.
The Blades began the third period with the most dangerous lead in hockey, a two goal lead. Charlotte finally found the back of the net at 5:01 into the final stanza. Ryan Garlock jammed away at a loose puck that squeaked past Mike Morrison short-side to cut the score in half 2-1. Just over three minutes later, Checkers forward Michel Leveille danced in front of the Everblades net and backhanded a shot high glove side for the equalizer. The Blades took back the lead at 10:37 of the final period; forward Brandon Buck put the puck high glove side to electrify the home crowd which was his second goal of the young season. The Blades extended their lead 4-2 after Rob Hennigar found a wide open Jacob Micflikier far side goal mouth where he buried his second goal of the season. The Checkers didn't quit, scoring with 30 seconds left in the third courtesy of Michel Leveille's second goal of the game to make the score 4-3. It would prove to be a little too late for the Checkers as Elgin Reid added an empty net goal that was his second of the night to put the game on ice 5-3.
The Everblades and Checkers meet tomorrow night for game two of the weekend set at Germain Arena. The first 5,000 fans receive Jani King magnetic schedules, plus there is a pre-game tailgate party beginning at 5:00
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