Everblades Defeat Titans in Overtime, 5-4
May 27, 2005 - All American Professional Basketball League (AAPBL)
Topeka Tornado News Release
TRENTON, NJ â Behind an overtime goal by Ernie Hartlieb the Florida Everblades completed an improbable comeback victory to defeat the Trenton Titans, 5-4, in front of 6,350 fans at Sovereign Bank Arena. With the victor, Florida registered its first win of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals, and now trails Trenton 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Hartlieb scored the deciding goal just 1:20 into the overtime period, backhanding a deflected sho from teammate Brad Fast past Andrew Allen.
Florida forced the game into overtime behind two goals late in the third period. Trailing 4-2 with just 5:05 remaining, Damian Surma tallied a power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, to cut the Titans lead to one. Just 51 seconds later, Fast evened the contest with at 4-4 with his first of the postseason.
Despite trailing late in the third period, the Everblades actually struck first in the game, when Surma scored his first goal of the night at 2:33.
The Titans responded when Brent Robinson beat Florida goalie Tyler MacKay with a top-shelf wrist shot. Rick Kowalsky earned his first of three assists on the play.
Stephen Wood extended the Titans lead with a power play goal at 14:09 in the first to make the score 2-1. It would be the Titans only successful power play conversion, as they ended the night just 1-for-9 on the man advantage.
Michael Schutte gave the Titans a 3-1 lead at 14:39 in the second period. The goal was his fifth of the playoffs.
But the Everblades answered when Keith Anderson beat Titans goalie Andrew Allen for his third playoff goal. David Lundbohm, the ECHL's leading playoff scorer, registered his first of two assists on the play.
At 9:24 in the third, Jerramie Domish converted a two-on-one with Scott Bertoli extending the Titans lead to 4-2.
Up two goals at with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, the Titans seemingly had the game until the Eveblades' late-game heroics.
The Titans broke its postseason attendance record, surpassing the previous mark of 5,019 (set against Hampton Roads on April 22, 2000).
The Titans host the Florida Everblades tomorrow night in game four of the Kelly Cup Finals. Puck drops at 7 pm. Tune into to 91.3 FM WTSR to hear all of the Titans hockey action. Check www.trentontitans.com for broadcast information, or to listen live.
All American Professional Basketball League Stories from May 27, 2005
- Everblades Defeat Titans in Overtime, 5-4 - Topeka Tornado
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