ECHL Florida Everblades

Blades win streak hits seven after quieting the Sea Wolves 3-1

April 3, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (48-17-5) reached the 100 point mark in the standings by pushing the win streak to seven after handing the visiting Mississippi Sea Wolves (28-34-8) a 3-1 defeat on Friday night at Germain Arena.

The win gave the Everblades 101 points in the standings, marking the third time in the team's 11-year history they have reached the century mark.

The Sea Wolves, who are battling with Gwinnett for the final playoff spot in the South Division, opened the game's scoring eight minutes into the first period. Former Everblade Kyle McAllister tallied the goal when his shot from the left circle snuck under the pads of goaltender David Leggio at 7:50 of the frame.

Throughout the period, the Everblades put together several solid chances but found themselves still scoreless thanks to some strong goaltending by Mississippi net-minder Ryan Munce. Perseverance however paid off late in the period when Kevin Baker set up A.J. Thelen at the right post with a quick cross-ice pass.

Thelen, who jumped down low from his defensive position, tipped the pass over the should of Munce for his third goal of the season at 17:48. Milan Gajic also added an assist on the tally that sent the teams tied 1-1 to the locker room.

In the second period the Everblades began by killing off a Mississippi power play for the first 1:53 then went back to work pressuring the Sea Wolves. Again the pressure paid off this time after Leggio made a big save at one end and led to Gajic setting up Andrew Sweetland for the go-ahead goal.

The play began after the save with Steve McJannet feeding Gajic the puck at the offensive blue line where he carried it to the bottom the right circle. Gajic then turned and slipped a pass across the top of the crease where Sweetland slammed home the puck at the left post for his ninth goal of the year at 12:02.

Looking like the teams would hit the second intermission with the Everblades leading 2-1, Florida cashed in another late tally to add some insurance. Colin Nicholson did a great job of working the puck around the offensive zone before dropping it back to Dominic D'Amour at the left point. D'Amour the let a shot go, which Munce stopped, but the rebound kicked off to his left where Jacob Micflikier flipped the puck across the line with one second remaining in the period.

The Everblades held the Sea Wolves in check during the third period and were helped out by Mississippi taking four penalties in the frame to preserve the win.

In goal Leggio improved to 26-7-3 by stopping 25 of 26 shots while Munce fell to 24-23-5 after allowing three goals on 38 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 0-of-6, while the Sea Wolves closed out the game 0-of-5.

BEWARE OF THE BITE! Action You Can Sink Your Teeth Into! Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Visit the Germain Arena Box Office M-F from 10-6 to purchase tickets, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com or call 239-948-PUCK for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

The Everblades return to action on Saturday, April 4 when they host the Mississippi Sea Wolves at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena.

3 Stars: 1 - David Leggio - FLA 2 - Milan Gajic - FLA 3 - Andrew Sweetland - FLA

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ECHL Stories from April 3, 2009


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