ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades win OT thriller 4-3; win serie s over Texas 4-2

May 4, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades needed extra time in Game 6 of the South Division Finals to eliminate the Texas Wildcatters in a 4-3 thriller. Chris Lee scored an overtime power play goal at 15:11 of the extra period sending the Germain Arena crowd of 6,446 into a frenzy, and the Everblades spilling over the boards in jubilation as they defeated the Wildcatters 4-games-to-2 to advance to the American Conference Finals vs. the Dayton Bombers.

A wild game, that even featured each team getting a penalty shot in overtime, saw the two top teams in the South Division trade punches throughout. The Everblades came out strong opening the game on Derek Damon's third playoff goal just 34 seconds into the game. After intercepting a pass behind the net, Dustin Johner centered the puck to Damon who banged the shot past Texas net minder Matt Yeats. Texas however answered back at 5:10 of the first period on J.F. David's third goal of the playoffs.

Tied 1-1, the Everblades converted the first of their three power play goals. Ryan Brindley's shot from the bottom of the right circle whistled by Yeats at 10:29 to give the Everblades a 2-1 lead. Adam Taylor and Vince Bellissimo assisted on Brindley's second playoff goal. Once again however the Wildcatters responded, this time just 50 seconds later when Leon Hayward blasted a shot from the high slot past Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski at 11:19.

With the teams tied 2-2 entering the second period, the Wildcatters began the frame on the power play, but a penalty of their own set up Florida's third goal. Brindley, who was in the penalty box exited and took a pass from Johner and rifled a shot from the left circle into the back of the net giving the Everblades a 3-2 lead at 2:08 of the period. Frank MacDonald also assisted on the go-ahead goal.

The 3-2 lead stood up until the early part of the third period when the Wildcatters tied the game. Texas came out flying in the final period and Mike Bayrack tied the game at three just 3:35 into the period with his third playoff goal. Texas continued to bring the pressure as the period moved along, but couldn't find the lead goal.

As overtime began both teams traded early chances but both goaltenders came up big including Yeats stopping David Brine on Florida's penalty shot at 1:53. Kowalski then stood tall immediately after the penalty shot robbing David with a great sliding save. Midway through the overtime period Texas got a chance to win the game on a penalty shot when Colin Nicholson was taken down, but this time it was Kowalski coming up with a big save.

Late in overtime, Daniel Sparre was called for a hooking call setting up Lee's heroics. Brad Parsons had the first chance, but his shot was blocked and slid to Lee at the top of the left circle, where he fired a wrist shot toward the Texas net. The puck deflected and the bounced off a Texas defenseman into the net sending the Everblades to the win. Adam Taylor added the second assist on the goal.

Kowalski earned the win in net by stopping 36 of 39 Texas shots to improve his record to 7-2 in the playoffs, while Yeats suffered the loss, allowing the four goals on 40 shots, which dropped his record to 2-4 in the post-season.

On the power play, the Everblades converted on 3 of their 11 chances, while the Wildcatters finished the night 0-for-11. In the six games of the series the Everblades killed off 44 of 45 Texas power plays.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice for Game 1 of the American Conference Finals on Tuesday, May 8 when they host the Dayton Bombers from Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for Games "F" & "G" are on sale now and can be purchased at the Germain Arena box office, or by visiting www.tickermaster.com. The Florida Everblades are now taking 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.

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