ECHL Florida Everblades

Callander's hat-trick propels Blades to 6-3 win over Stingrays

Published on January 4, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (18-11-3) pulled off a 6-3 come-from-behind win on Friday night thanks in large part to the first career hat-trick of Preston Callander, ending the ECHL-high 12-game winning streak of the South Carolina Stingrays (19-10-1) in front of a crowd of 5,763 at Germain Arena. The win also puts head coach Gerry Fleming one win away from the 300th in his coaching career

Callander's three goals came in succession and began with Florida trailing 3-1 in the second period. With South Carolina leading 2-1 entering the second period, Nate Kiser opened a two-goal advantage for the short-benched Stingrays with a power play goal just 36 seconds into the frame. The Everblades began their charge back on the first of Callander's three tallies at 8:48 of second period. The power play goal came on assists from Derek Damon and Ernie Hartlieb, who assisted on all three of Callander's goals.

The Everblades tied the game at three at 13:08 of the second period on an even strength goal by Callander who took a pass from Hartlieb in the slot and deked to South Carolina goaltender Josh Johnson's right and slipped it into the net. Callander gave the Everblades the lead for good on the eventual game-winning marker just 36 seconds into the third period. With the Everblades on the power play, Hartlieb fired a shot from the left circle that was blocked away, Damon then took a shot that clanked off the right post and right to the stick of Callander who fired it home to open a 4-3 Everblades lead.

Although the Everblades stormed their way back, it was the Stingrays that took advantage of their chances early in the game scoring on two of their five first period shots. Stingrays captain Cail MacLean opened the scoring at 9:55 of the first period after whistling a wrist shot from the right circle up over the glove of Everblades net-minder David Shantz.

The Everblades responded at 13:41 after Johnson mishandled the puck at the left post. Callander worked the puck free and Kirk MacDonald fed a pass to Damon in the high slot where he let a wrist shot fly that snuck past a scrambling Johnson. The goal was Damon's 11th of the season which leads the team. However South Carolina tagged on a late first period power play goal with 2:19 remaining when Trent Campbell tapped in a pass from Travis Morin at the left post to open the 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Once the Everblades gained the lead they kept the pressure on the Stingrays who were playing with only 13 skaters in the contest because of injuries and call-ups. At 13:25 of the third period, J.B. Bittner gave the Everblades some breathing room with his third goal of the season. After taking a pass from Brad Herauf, Bittner shrugged off a hard check from Stingrays defenseman Scott Romfo and lasered a wrist shot from the right circle over the glove of Johnson and into the upper right corner of the net.

The nail in the coffin for the Stingrays came with 2:50 remaining in the contest when Mike McLean's wrist shot from the left circle also sailed into the upper right corner to open a 6-3 Florida lead. Brett Peterson and Steve Czech added assists on McLean's third goal of the season.

In net Shantz earned his first win in his first start back with the Everblades by turning away 24 of 27 shots. Johnson saw his personal six-game winning streak end after allowing the six goals on 39 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 2-for-6, while the Stingrays finished 2-for-7.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades return to action on Saturday, January 5 to host the South Carolina Stingrays 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.

Three Stars:

1) Preston Callander - FLA

2) Derek Damon - FLA

3) Ernie Hartlieb - FLA

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 4, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central