ECHL Florida Everblades

Tifu's late goal pushes Blades into second round

Published on April 19, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


DULUTH, GA - The Florida Everblades were able to advance out of the first round and on to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs by picking up a 2-1 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators in Game 5 thanks to the late game heroics of Yannick Tifu who score the game-winning goal with 24.6 seconds remaining in the third period.

The win gave the Everblades a 4-games-1 series victory and a second round date with the winner of the other South Division Semi-Final series between Charlotte and South Carolina.

Tifu's late goal came just after the Everblades killed off Gwinnett's fifth power play of the night with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. After the penalty expired the Everblades immediately rushed the puck into the zone and looked to get chances to the net. Milan Gajic had the first chance with a shot from the left circle that hit off the left side of the net.

The puck ricoched behind the net where Tifu dug it loose from a 2-on-2 battle before emerging at the bottom of the right circle where he flicked a shot on net that found itself inside the left post for the winning shot and his first playoff goal.

Prior to that, as they had in the previous four games, the teams locked horns in a tight contest. After a scoreless first period that saw the Everblades out-shoot Gwinnett 9-7, the Gladiators grabbed the momentum early in period number two. Gwinnett found themselves short-handed 5-on-3 for two full minutes just 39 seconds into the period, but thanks in part to strong goaltending by Josh Johnson, the Gladiators killed off the opportunity.

In addition to that momentum, the Gladiators took it a step further by also scoring on a rush up ice as the penalties expired. Jordan Fox aggressively carried the puck down the right side boards and cut to the front of the net where David Leggio made a save, but the rebound sat loose in the crease where J.C. Sawyer poked it across the goal line just 2:43 into the period.

The Gladiators maintained their 1-0 lead until midway through the period when the Everblades finally broke through with a power play goal. Ross Carlson notched his third goal in the last two games by deflecting a shot from the middle of the ice at the blue line by Peter Metcalf at 11:19.

The play developed with good work on the right side wall by Carlson and Andrew Sweetland who helped keep the puck alive in the zone before Mark Lee fed a pass across to Metcalf. The veteran defenseman then wrested a shot toward the net that Carlson tipped past Johnson and inside the right post for his fourth playoff goal overall.

In goal Leggio improved as well to 4-1 after making 21 saves, while Johnson again stood out big for Gwinnett, but again came up short falling to 0-2 after allowing the two goals on 36 shots.

On the power play, the Everblades finished the night 1-of-5, while the Gladiators closed out the game 0-of-5.

BEWARE OF THE BITE! Action You Can Sink Your Teeth Into! Individual tickets to Kelly Cup Playoff games "C" & "D" are on sale now! Visit the Germain Arena Box Office M-F from 10-6 to purchase tickets, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com or call 239-948-PUCK for more information on group ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

The Everblades return to action on Friday, April 24 when they host Game 1 of the South Division Finals at Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m.

3 Stars:

1 - Yannick Tifu - FLA

2 - Josh Johnson - GWI

3 - Tom Zanoksi - GWI

Check out the Florida Everblades Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from April 19, 2009


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