ECHL Florida Everblades

Checkers Get Even With Everblades, Win 4-2

Published on October 24, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - After winning their first home game of the 2009-10 season Friday night, the Florida Everblades dropped the second game of a two game series 4-2 at home against the Charlotte Checkers in front of an announced crowd of 5,543. Prior to the game, it was announced that Everblades captain Kevin Baker along with defensemen Peter Mefcalf, forwards Ross Carlson along with Jacob Micflikier would be scratched from the contest. Checkers centerman Michel Leveille scored two goals and defensemen Ethan Graham picked up three assists in the Charlotte victory.

The first period picked up right where last nights action left off, with both teams playing the physical. The Checkers struck first on score sheet at 16:50 in the first. Charlotte right winger Derek Couture skated into the Everblades zone and fed the puck to Michel Leveille who was wide open in front shooting the puck five-hole past Everblades goaltending Mike Morrison for the early 1-0 lead. Leveille has scored in both contests against the Everblades during this weekend. The Checkers out shot the Blades 13-8 and the Everblades finished the period 0-1 on the power-play, while Charlotte finished 0-2.

The Checkers started the second stanza scoring early on a five-on-three power play courtesy of right winger David Marshall who slipped a backhand shot past Mike Morrison short-side. Everblades defensemen Brad Zanon got the crowd back into the action after dropping his gloves with Checkers defensemen Mike Berube. Centerman Michel Leveille buried his second goal of the game and fourth of the season to give the Checkers a 3-0 lead 5:19 into the second period. Defensemen Ethan Graham picked the assist, which was his second of the night. On a delayed penalty against Charlotte, Blades right winger Ernie Hartlieb found the puck slide onto his stick goal mouth and tickling the twine for his first tally of the season. Jordan Morrison and A.J. Thelen picked up the assists on the Hartlieb goal. With less than 1:30 left in the second stanza Charlotte found the back of the net once again, as Ethan Graham's shot from the point hit the crossbar and bounced back to Mike Berube who shot the puck into a wide open net to put the Checkers up 4-1. The Blades out shot the Checkers 16-12 but finished 0-3 on the power play, where as Charlotte finished one for four.

The Blades opened the third period strong, as defensemen A.J. Thelen's shot from the point was redirected by left winger Ryan Lang for his first goal of the season. Blades right winger Milan Gajic picked up his fourth assist of the season on Lang's tally which made the score 4-2. The Everblades could not capitalize on anymore of their opportunities in the final minutes of action as Charlotte picked up their second win of the season.

The Florida Everblades radio show, Everblades Weekly , returns to Shoeless Joe's Sports Café in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Monday October 26, at 7:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio, 1200/ 1460AM. Join the voice of the Everblades John Curtis as he chats with Everblades goaltender #30 Mike Morrison. Remember half price pizzas during the show and domestic pitchers are just $5.00 during the show. Shoeless Joe's is in the Bell Tower Shopping Plaza off Tamiami trail and Daniels parkway in Fort Myers.

The Everblades return to action this coming Wednesday at Germain Arena for a three game series as they host the defending Kelly Cup Champions, the South Carolina Stingrays. Join us for the first of three pivotal games on "Wet Wednesdays" featuring two dollar Budweiser draft beer.

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ECHL Stories from October 24, 2009


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