Inferno sweep Everblades with 3-2 victory

April 12, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Columbia Inferno News Release


COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 12, 2008)-The Columbia Inferno beat the visiting Florida Everblades 3-2 on Saturday night, thereby sweeping their first-round best-of-five Kelly Cup playoff series.

Reid Cashman gave the Inferno a 1-0 lead six minutes into the first period when he wristed a shot from the far point into the net, beating David Shantz low on the blocker side. Daniel Sparre gave the Inferno a 2-0 lead four minutes later when, on the power play, he picked up a Steve McJannet rebound and rifled the puck into the open net on Shantz's glove side.

The Inferno nursed the 2-0 through the second period, but the Everblades ended Todd Ford's shutout bid two minutes into the third period with a fortuitous goal. Florida defenseman Brandon Roach's shot from the high slot deflected up into air and bounced into the net off of Ford's back. Inferno captain Brad Ralph reclaimed the two-goal lead at 11:05 when he shed a defender in the near circle, pulled up and slapped the puck into the corner of the net, just above Shantz's glove. The celebration was short-lived, however, as Florida winger Derek Damon deflected David Cornacchia's pass through Ford's legs and into the net just 13 seconds later to bring the game to 3-2. Ford and the Inferno remained perfect the rest of the way, allowing Ralph's goal to be the game and series winner.

Shantz stopped 19 of 22, while Ford turned aside 33 of 35 to help Inferno head coach Troy Mann win his first Kelly Cup Playoff series as a head coach.

The Inferno will return to the Carolina Coliseum for the South Division semifinals. Dates and the Inferno's opponent will be announced pending the completion of the other South Division quarterfinals.



ECHL Stories from April 12, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central