ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades upend Checkers 3-2 in shootout

February 23, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - The Florida Everblades (31-20-4) ended their season series with the Charlotte Checkers (25-22-6) on a winning note after collecting a 3-2 shootout victory on Saturday night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena in front of a record Charlotte crowd of 12,256.

Brad Zancanaro delivered the final blow scoring in the fifth round of the shootout to send the Everblades spilling onto the ice in celebration, and allowing the Everblades to pull out the victory after a mad come-back charge by the Checkers. With the win the Everblades finished with a 5-1-0 record vs. Charlotte in 2007-08.

As they did a night ago, the Everblades got off to a quick start tonight against the Checkers to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermissions. All-Star Mathieu Melanson opened the game's scoring just 2:23 into the first period when a wrist shot from the right circle that sailed past Charlotte goaltender Mike Ayers. The goal, Melanson's team-leading 25th, was assisted by Ernie Hartlieb.

A high-octane second period saw both teams score, with the Everblades tallying early and the Checkers scoring late allowing Florida to carry a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Like the first period, the Everblades scored quickly in the second period as Brett Peterson deflected a point shot by Brad Zancanaro past Ayers just 1:55 into the frame to open a 2-0 lead. Brandon Roach also added an assist on Peterson's fourth goal of the season.

As the period moved along the Checkers gained momentum and pressured the Everblades as the period wound down. Eventually that pressure paid off when Mike Bayrack raced up ice on the right wing, split the defense and wristed a shot from between the circles past Everblades net-minder David Shantz at 16:36 to cut the lead to one.

Charlotte's strong pressure continued in the third period as the home team out shot the Everblades 15-6 in the final 20 minutes and eventually tied the game midway through the period. While enjoying their fifth power play chance of the game, Charlotte cashed in when Mark Lee let a slap shot go from the blue line that snuck past a screened Shantz at 11:15 to even the score at two

The Everblades held off the waves of pressure by the Checkers over the final 8:45 of the third period thanks to strong goaltending by Shantz and some strong penalty killing as the Blades killed off four of five Charlotte power plays in the third period.

After neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period, the games moved to a shootout where the Everblades improved to 4-0 in shootouts this season. Melanson and Hartlieb each scored for the Everblades in their first two rounds while Chris Capraro notched a goal for Charlotte in the first round. After both teams failed to convert, Zancanaro tallied his first shootout goal of the year for the win. The Checkers saw their shootout record fall to 1-5.

Shantz (7-3-1) registered his fourth straight win by turning away 30 of 32 shots in regulation and overtime, and stopping three of four in the shootout. Ayers (8-5-1) earned a tie in the standings after stopping 27 of 29 shots during regulation and overtime, but stopped only two of five in the shootout.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 0-for-2, while the Checkers finished 1-for-6.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades return to action on Sunday, February 24 when they travel to Charleston, SC to take on the South Carolina Stingrays at 4:00 p.m. from James Brown Arena. The Everblades next home game is on Friday, March 7 when they host the Mississippi Sea Wolves at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. 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.

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ECHL Stories from February 23, 2008


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