Everblades battle from behind to grab big 3-2 win at Gwinnett
March 18, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
DULUTH, GA - The Florida Everblades (33-27-4) snared a huge victory in their race to make the playoffs after engineering a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Gwinnett Gladiators (29-28-7) on Friday night at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. The win was Florida's fourth straight over the Gladiators.
Alex Imbeault's second goal of the night with 4:13 remaining in regulation snapped a 2-2 tie and proved to be the difference. On a play that began back in the Florida zone, Matt Beca chipped the puck ahead to Cedric McNicoll who lifted a pass to Imbeault in the neutral zone. With a burst of speed down the left wing boards, Imbeault got around the defense and cut to the front of the net where he fired a quick shot that was kicked away by Gladiators net-minder Chris Carrozzi. The rebound however off Carrozzi's left leg pad was so hard it then deflected off Gladiators forward Pat Galivan's skate and into the net giving Imbeault his team-leading 33rd goal of the year.
A tale of two different periods to open the game set up the 2-2 score entering the third period. The opening 20 minutes saw the Everblades begin strong, but Gwinnett carry the majority of the play. Over the final 15 minutes of the frame, the Gladiators peppered the offensive zone, but until late in the period nothing found its way into the net. However Gwinnett struck for two quick tallies in the final two minutes of the first period.
The first of the markers came at the 18:21 mark when Andy Brandt scooped up a loose puck at the top of the Everblades goal crease and lifted it over a diving Bobby Goepfert for his team-leading 18th goal of the season.
Just 22 seconds later off a right circle face-off Matt Francis tallied his third goal in as many games with a quick shot from the circle that beat Goepfert for his fourth goal overall on the season.
As much as Gwinnett carried the play in the first period, the Everblades carried the play that much in the second period. And just as the Gladiators struck for two quick goals in the opening frame, the Everblades answered with a pair of quick tallied midway through the second period.
Florida got back to within a goal at 9:32 with a power play marker. On their third power play of the night Imbeault worked the puck to the left point where David Fischer let a hard shot fly to the net that was initially stopped by Carrozzi. The rebound however bounced out to the top of the crease where Bobby Raymond slammed it home for his seventh goal of the year.
Less than two minutes later the Everblades tied the game with relentless pressure in the offensive zone. Imbeault cashed in his team-leading 32nd goal of the season after taking a pass in the left circle from Ross Carlson. Imbeault's quick wrist shot sailed past Carrozzi and inside the left post to even the score at two. Elgin Reid also picked up an assist on the play.
In goal Goepfert was spectacular making 45 saves including stopping all 34 shots he faced in the final two periods, to improve his record to 22-12-3. Carrozzi saw his record fall to 16-16-5 after allowing the three goals on 27 shots.
On the power play, the Everblades closed out the game 1-of-4, while Gwinnett failed to convert on any of their six chances.
The Everblades return to action on Saturday, March 19 when they take the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. from The Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Everblades' next home game is Wednesday, March 23 when they host the Wheeling Nailers at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
Individual tickets to all 2010-11 Florida Everblades home games are on sale now! Tickets are available at the TIB Bank Box Office Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets through TicketMaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com or calling 800-745-3000.
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