ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades let one slip, fall 5-4 in shootout to Pensacola

February 18, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (26-16-7) earned a tie in the standings after falling 5-4 in a shootout to the Pensacola Ice Pilots (34-11-4) on Friday night at Germain Arena. The win was Pensacola's league-leading 12th straight and knocked the Everblades to 1-2-1 in their last four games.

The wild back-and-forth contest saw each team hold, and blow, leads throughout the night. The Everblades used a three-goal barrage in a span of 2:04 early in the second period to open a 4-2 lead by the seven minute mark of the middle stanza. Brad Church, Keith Anderson and Simon Tremblay all tallied in the second period for the 'Blades to open the two-goal lead. However, Pensacola converted on a power play opportunity late in the second period to cut the Everblades lead to one.

Florida, who entered the game 14-0-0 when leading after two periods saw Pensacola tie the game midway through the third on a short-handed goal by Scott May. The goal was May's second of the night. The rookie out of Ohio State had given the Ice Pilots a 2-1 lead early in the second period.

The teams exited the first period knotted at one on goals separated by 31 seconds. Matt Hendricks gave the Everblades a 1-0 lead with his 22nd goals of the year at 11:55, but Tyler Beechy, who leads the ECHL in scoring, tied the game with his 24th goal of the season at 12:26. Neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period sending the game to shootout. In the shootout, Pensacola outscored the Everblades 3-0 to pick up the win.

Tyler MacKay (4-6-1) made his seventh straight start in goal for the Everblades and picked up a tie after stopping 25 of 29 Pensacola shots in regulation and overtime. Frederic Cloutier (22-9-3) won his 10th straight game in net for the Ice Pilots after turning away 42 of 46 Florida shots in regulation and overtime, and stopping all three shooters he faced in the shootout. The Everblades closed out the night 2-for-3 on the power play, while the Ice Pilots converted on one of their four opportunities.

The Everblades return to action Saturday night when they host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena. Saturday's game can be seen on UPN-8, as well as being heard in SportsRadio 770 AM. Tickets are available for Friday's game and fans can call (239) 948-7825 for ticket information. Tune to SportsRadio 770 AM or visit www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com to hear all the action with the "Voice of the Everblades" Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.




ECHL Stories from February 18, 2005


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