ECHL Florida Everblades

Florida Falls to Columbus 4-3 in Final Preseason Game

Published on October 5, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (0-1-1) were defeated by the Columbus Cottonmouths (2-0-0) 4-3 in a shootout in their second and final preseason game of the year in front of 5,411at TECO Arena on Saturday night. Florida opens up the ECHL regular season on the road in Augusta on Friday, October 11 at 7:35 PM. The Everblades play six road games before returning home to take on the Pee Dee Pride in their home opener at TECO Arena on Friday, October 25 at 7:30 PM. Columbus forward Jerome Bechard netted a goal and an assist for the Cottonmouths in regulation and scored the game winning goal in the shootout to lift the Cottonmouths.

The Cottonmouths struck first on a goal by forward Jerome Bechard at the 2:27 mark of the first period. The Everblades then evened the contest at 1-1 on a solid individual effort by forward David Evans. Evans received a pass from forward Tom Buckley, skated in alone and fired the puck past the Cottonmouths netminder Matus Koster.

In the second period, Florida made it 2-1 after forward Marty Johnston skated from behind the net and tucked the puck in the net on the far side along the ice at the 18:58 mark of the second period.

In the third period, the Everblades took a 3-1 lead on George Awada's power play tally early in the period. However, Columbus stormed back and tied the game after forward John Morlang notched two goals.

The game headed directly to a shootout and both teams swapped goals until Jerome Bechard beat Everblades netminder Tom Fortunate to give the Cottonmouths their second preseason win in as many nights.

Florida goaltender Rob Zepp (0-1) stopped 13 of 14 shots he faced and was relieved in the second period by reserve goaltender Tom Fortunate. Fortunate stopped 9 of 12 shots he faced. Cottonmouths netminder Matus Koster (2-0) stopped 29 of 32 shots. The Everblades were 2 for 5 on the power play while the Cottonmouths were 0 for 1.

Florida takes on the Augusta Lynx on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 in Augusta to open the 2002-03 regular season. Florida plays their first six games on the road before returning home to battle the Pee Dee Pride in a pair of games at TECO Arena on October 25 & 26 at 7:30 PM.

3 Stars:

1 - Bechard - CBS

2 - Johnston - FLA

3 - Morlang - CBS

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