Snetsinger Hat-Trick Not Enough as Blades Doubled up by Road Warriors, 6-3
March 13, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Despite a hat-trick by newcomer Brad Snetsinger, the Florida Everblades (32-27-4) dropped their final regular season meeting against the Greenville Road Warriors 6-3 on Sunday night at Germain Arena.
Snetsinger, who was acquired by the Everblades at the trade deadline this past Friday, notched a goal in each period but it wasn't enough for the Everblades to overcome a three-goal barrage by Greenville in a span of less than two minutes midway through the opening period.
Greenville (38-21-4) began their scoring blitz with a power play goal at 9:14 of the opening period off the stick of Chris Clackson. At 10:55 Marc-Olivier Vallerand made it a 2-0 Greenville advantage with his team-leading 24th goal of the season, and Wes Cunningham notched the first of his two goals at 11:13 to open a 3-0 lead. The goal chased Everblades starting goaltender Bobby Goepfert from the game for back-up Jaroslav Janus.
Snetsinger tallied the first of his three goals at the 13:22 mark of the first period off a nice pass from Alex Hutchings. With the puck behind the Greenville net, Hutchings worked it loose before finding Snetsinger at the top of the crease with a back-hand pass. Snetsinger shifted to his right before wristing the puck into the net for his 17th goal of the year.
Midway through the second period Greenville extended their lead to 4-1 when Brendan Connolly finished off a 2-on-1 rush with his 19th goal of the year at the 8:53 mark.
Again Snetsinger cut the Road Warrior lead to two, this time with a good, hard snap shot from the slot that beat Greenville net-minder Nic Riopel low on the stick side. The play began with Ross Carlson and Elgin Reid battling the puck free from the right wing boards before Carlson found Snetsinger in the high slot with a pass.
However before the period ended, Greenville again regained a three-goal advantage this time coming just 14 seconds after the Everblades tally. Off a left circle faceoff Cunningham let a shot from the point fly that found its way through traffic and off the left post and into the net.
Snetsinger completed the hat-trick 6:39 into the third period off an assist by Kyle Lawson. After getting a pass from Lawson in the neutral zone, Snetsinger cut the Greenville lead to 5-3 by skating the puck into the offensive zone, weaving through the defense and lifting a shot past Riopel for his 19th goal of the season.
That was as close as the Everblades would get though as Greenville sealed the win with a 5-on-3 power play goal at 12:03. Former Everblade Justin Bowers roofed a shot from the left circle over the shoulder of Janus and off the underside of the crossbar to cap off a five-point night for himself.
In goal Goepfert did net get a decision after allowing the three first period goals on 10 shots in the first 11:13 of the game. Janus (11-13-0) took the loss allowing three goals on 23 shots over the game's final 48:47. Riopel (20-12-2) picked up the win after stopping 23 of 26 shots
On the power play, the Everblades closed out the game 1-of-5, while Greenville converted on two of their five chances.
The Everblades finished the season series against Greenville with a 5-9-1 record.
The Everblades return to action on Friday, March 18 when they travel to Gwinnett to take on the Gladiators at 7:35 p.m. from The Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Everblades' next home game is Wednesday, March 23 when they host the Wheeling Nailers at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
Individual tickets to all 2010-11 Florida Everblades home games are on sale now! Tickets are available at the TIB Bank Box Office Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets through TicketMaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com or calling 800-745-3000.
Bud Light 3 Stars:
1 - Justin Bowers - GRV
2 - Brad Snetsinger - FLA
3 - Wes Cunningham - GRV
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