ECHL Florida Everblades

Everblades Strike First; Upend Checkers 3-2 In Game One

Published on April 13, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades opened their best-of-five division semi-final series with the Charlotte Checkers with a 3-2 victory, in a hard-hitting, fast-paced contest on Friday night at Germain Arena in front of a crowd of 4,455.

From the drop of the puck, it became quickly evident of the type of game the fans would be treated to in game 1. The Checkers began by throwing the body, and the Everblades quickly responded in the same fashion. With the intensity high from start, the Everblades added to it by tallying the game's first goal. Mike Card began the play by splitting the Charlotte defenders at the offensive blue-line. Card's shot was stopped by Charlotte goaltender Chris Holt but his rebound was scooped up by Vince Bellissimo who slipped it into the net at 5:46. Brad Parsons added the second assist.

The game remained 1-0 until the late stages of the first period, which was when Charlotte answered back to tie the game when Bruce Graham one-timed a centering feed from Steve Slonina past Everblades net-minder Craig Kowalski at 17:12.

With the game tied at one entering the second period, the Everblades once again tallied an early second period goal when Frank MacDonald picked up Florida's first of two power play goals at 5:39. MacDonald's first playoff goal came after his initial shot was stopped by Holt at the left post, but he flipped the rebound over the fallen Charlotte goaltender. Parsons and Card once again teamed up for the assists. Just as in the first period, however, the Checkers answered back when Blake Bellefeuille was left open at the left post and slammed home a pass from Mark Lee at 11:09 to even the score at two.

Shortly after, with the Everblades enjoying their sixth power play of the game, Adam Taylor notched the eventual game-winning goal. The play began with Card feeding MacDonald at the top of the left circle. MacDonald's shot from there deflected off Bellissimo and was then tipped into the upper part of the net by Taylor from the top of the crease at 14:02 giving the Everblades a 3-2 advanage. Charlotte thought they had tied the game at three in the closing moments of the second period after Kowalski gave up a rebound, but the whistle of the referee blew the play dead as Charlotte slipped the puck into the open net, thus keeping the Everblades on top 3-2.

The final 20 minutes didn't disappoint as the intensity remained high, but it was the Everblades sealing off the Checkers and Kowalski stopping all nine shots he faced to keep Florida in the lead.

Kowalski earned the win by stopping 24 of 26 shots, while Holt suffered his first loss of the playoffs after allowing the three goals on 32 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished 2-for-9, while the Checkers closed out the game 0-for-6.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to the ice on Saturday, April 14 when they host the Charlotte Checkers in game 2 of the South Division semi-finals at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. The Florida Everblades are now taking deposits on 2007-08 season tickets!! Reserve your seat for all the exciting action today by calling (239) 948-7825. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

3 Stars:

1 - Frank MacDonald - FLA

2 - Brad Parsons - FLA

3 - Bruce Graham - CHR

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ECHL Stories from April 13, 2007


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