Everblades win opener, 6-2
October 22, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Six different Everblades scored and goaltender Rob Zepp stopped 17 of 19 shots to allow the Florida Everblades to defeat the Texas Wildcatters 6-2 on opening night at Germain Arena on Friday night.
Reggie Berg, Keith Anderson, Chris Hodgson, Brad Church, Brian Sullivan and Damian Surma all scored for Florida (1-0-0) as they capped an emotional night, which saw the 2003-04 Eastern Conference Championship banner raised to the rafters prior to the game.
Berg began the scoring at 8:44 of the first period to give Florida the early lead. After Ryan Fultz scored the first of his two goals for Texas (0-1-0) Hodgson, a rookie collected his first professional goal at 13:04 of the opening period. The 'Blades extended their lead to 4-1 on second period goals by Church and Sullivan, before Anderson opened a 5-1 Florida lead early in the third period. Surma closed out the scoring for Florida with a 5-on-3 power play goal at 12:37 of the final period.
Zepp, who wasn't tested a lot throughout the game, allowed a first and third period goal to Fultz, the last of which came with just 25 seconds remaining in the game on a Texas powerplay.
The Everblades out shot the Wildcatters 40-19, and Florida finished the night 1-for-4 on the power play, while Texas was 1-for-5 on the man-advantage.
Overall 12 different Everblades notched a point in the opening night victory.
Florida and Texas battle again tomorrow night in the second game of the weekend series at Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m.. The Everblades remain home next Tuesday to take on the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:30 PM. All 72 regular season games can be heard on Sportsradio Radio 770 AM and on the World Wide Web at www.floridaeverblades.com, www.abc-7.com, and www.nbc-2.com with the "Voice of the Everblades" Kevin Reiter calling the play-by-play.
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