ECHL Florida Everblades

Nastiuk and Blades shutout Ice Pilots, 2-0

Published on April 1, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades (37-25-8) rode goaltender Kevin Nastiuk's 24 saves to a 2-0 victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots (19-42-9) on Tuesday night at Germain Arena in the final meeting between the two teams this season. The win clinched home-ice advantage for the Everblades in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs by guaranteeing a finish of fourth place in the South Division.

The first period allowed for three power plays - two for Florida and one for Pensacola - but none were productive in terms of goal-scoring. The puck shifted between the two teams throughout the first period but never entered either net, leaving the game scoreless after one with Florida out-shooting Pensacola 8-3.

The second period started out much like the first until Adam Taylor sent the standing room only crowd of 7,394 leaping to their feet when he thrust the puck past Ice Pilot goaltender Mike Brodeur from the right circle to put the Blades up 1-0. Taylor's second goal of the year came at 6:50 with assists from Peter Aston and Ernie Hartlieb.

From there, back-and-forth play continued until the horn signaled the end of the second period and left the Everblades up 1-0 heading into the third.

In the third period, and for the second time in the game, the Everblades were unable to profit from a 5-on-3 power play early in the frame, but a few minutes after the opportunity, Florida scored a full-strength goal when Preston Callander back-handed a shot from the right side of the crease past a sprawling Brodeur at 10:22. Callander's 23rd goal of the year was assisted by Brad Zancanaro and Brett Peterson giving the Blades some breathing room at 2-0.

Things got rough in the closing moments when four players were removed from the game at 18:16 in a brawl that was somewhat reminiscent of Friday's game when Florida and Gwinnett combined for 264 penalty minutes. Tossed from the game for the Ice Pilots were Patrick Bordeleau and Mathieu Roy, while Ryan Van Buskirk and Hartlieb were shown the gate for the Everblades. Out of the fracas, the Ice Pilots took to the power play, and despite a last-minute attempt with the goaltender pulled, the Everblades kept Pensacola off the board to earn the 2-0 win.

Nastiuk improved his record to 5-5-3 by earning his second shutout of the season, both against Pensacola. Brodeur accepted the loss and repositioned his record to 10-9-6.

The win allowed the Everblades to finished the season series with a 7-1-3 record vs. Pensacola and improved to 52-14-13 all-time vs. the Ice Pilots.

On the power play, the Everblades closed out night 0-for-6 while Pensacola went 0-for-3.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The Everblades return to action on Friday in Estero to take on the Texas Wildcatters for the first of their last two games of the regular season. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Stop by the Germain Arena box office to reserve your seat for all the exciting action! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

Stars: 1) Kevin Nastiuk - FLA 2) Preston Callander - FLA 3) Adam Taylor - FLA

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ECHL Stories from April 1, 2008


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