ECHL Florida Everblades

Record setting night for 'Blades in 9-0 win

Published on April 3, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - The Florida Everblades (42-22-6) regained their grasp on first place in the South Division with a record setting performance in a dominating 9-0 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots (19-46-6) on Tuesday night at the Pensacola Civic Center in front of a crowd of 2473.

All but two Everblades players picked up at least one point and goaltender Craig Kowalski turned in his fourth shutout of the season as the Everblades set all-time team records in goals in one period by scoring six in the third and largest margin of victory.

Just as they did two nights prior, the Everblades got off to a quick start against the Ice Pilots on by grabbing a 3-0 lead after the first period. The game was scoreless over the first half of the period, but at 10:52 the Everblades broke open the dam when Derek Damon took a nice pass from Brad Zancanaro down the middle of the ice and was able to tuck the puck past Pensacola goaltender Adam Geragosian for the 1-0 lead. Reggie Berg added the second assist on the goal. The Everblades extended their lead to 2-0 at 14:13 when Mike Card intercepted a pass at center ice and skated in to the offensive end and slipped a wrist shot between the pads of Geragosian. Vince Bellissimo and Ryan Brindley assisted on Card's first goal as an Everblade. With time winding down and Pensacola on the power play, the Everblades collected their 21st short-handed goal of the season when Berg one-timed a pass from Zancanaro into the left side of the net with just 9.4 seconds remaining in the period. The goal was Berg's fourth short-handed tally this season and the 11th of his career.

Neither team found the back of the net in the second period which included three Pensacola power plays, but in the third period the Everblades wasted no time extending their lead with two goals in the first five minutes of the frame, and four tallies in the first 11 minutes of the period. Brad Parsons began the third period barrage with his 12th goal of the season at 2:43 by slipping a back-hand into the net on assists by Steve Czech and Martin Tuma. The pressure continued with Dustin Johner's team-leading 29th goal of the season at 4:55 with Tuma and Jon Lehun assisting. Florida pushed the lead to 6-0 with their lone power play goal coming off the stick of Adam Taylor at 7:50. Bellissimo and Ernie Hartlieb picked up the helpers on Taylor's 23rd goal of the season.

At that point, the Ice Pilots pulled Geragosian and backup goaltender Jorge Alves took over for the remainder. The Everblades didn't waste time in greeting Alves as Brent McDonald tallied three minutes after his entry to open a 7-0 lead with his 15th goal of the season with assists by Berg and Bellissimo. At 13:33 Czech got in on the fun by notching his third goal of the year with a point shot. McDonald and Ryan Brindley assisted. The final tally of the night came with 51 seconds remaining as Berg collected his second goal of the night and 27th of the season with help from Damon and Zancanaro.

In net, Jamie Holden started the game, but played only 1:27 before giving way to Kowalski who faced all 25 Pensacola shots to raise his record to 27-13-4. Geragosian took the loss by after allowing six goals on 32 shots which dropped his record to 0-5-0. Alves finished off the final 12:10 of the game and stopped 7 of 10 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the game 1-for-6, while the Ice Pilots closed out the game 0-for-3.

The Florida Everblades, proud affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, return to action on Friday, April 6 when they host the Augusta Lynx at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Florida Everblades group and individual game tickets & mini-plans are now available! 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.

Three Stars:

1) Craig Kowalski - FLA

2) Reggie Berg - FLA

3) Vince Bellissimo - FLA

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 3, 2007


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