Everblades Start Preseason With a Win

David Rutherford and Corey Trivino each scored two goals as the Florida Everblades double up the Orlando Solar Bears 6-3 at Germain Arena Friday Night.

The Everblades struck first on a late developing 2-on-1 rush into the zone. David Rutherford led the rush on the right wing side, eyed the trailer Ellington in the slot, and called his own number wristing a shot over the shoulder of Orlando goaltender Drew Palmisano.

Orlando tied the game at one, at 12:31 of the opening frame, as Thomas Beauregard squeezed the puck past the post and the skate of Everblades goaltender Pat Nagle.

Nearly two and a half minutes later, rookie forward Corey Trivino received the puck to the right of the Orlando goal and lifted a backhand shot high into the net to give the Blades the lead back 2-1.

It would be a lead Florida would not surrender the rest of the way out, as Aaron Bogosian scored his first of the preseason just 23 seconds later to lift the Blades to a two goal advantage at the end of the first period.

The Blades opened the second period on a goal just 1:13 into the period. Brandon MacLean fired a wrist shot past Palmisano to extend the lead to 4-1.

Orlando’s Ian Walters kept it close on his first of the preseason, scoring at 11:49 of the middle frame pulling the Solar Bears within two. The Everblades responded late in the period on Corey Trivino’s second of the game putting the game at 5-2 after 40 minutes played.

Orlando lit the lamp first in the third period to make it a two-goal game once again. Brett Lyon picked up a rebound in front of the crease and flipped it past Nagle.

The Everblades sealed it at 13:40 on Rutherford’s second of the contest. MacLean fired a shot off the pads of the goaltender who made the initial stop, but Rutherford was there on the rebound and hurled into the net to give the Blades the 6-3 victory.

Brandon MacLean finished the night with a four-points, scoring a goal and logging three assists. Newcomer Taylor Ellington finished with two assists, while defenseman Josh Martin went scoreless, but finished with game high plus-4 rating.

Nagle earns the win in goal stopping 29 of 32 shots, while Palmisano takes the loss allowing five goals on 20 shots. Brooke Ostergard stopped 12 of 13 shots in a relief effort.

The two teams will conclude the preseason on Saturday at Germain Arena. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Everblades open up their 15th Anniversary season against Orlando. Opening night is slated for Friday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. The Everblades will raiser their championship banner prior to the game. The first 2,500 fans will receive a championship mini-banner.

The two teams meet again the following day on Saturday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. The first 5,000 fans to enter the arena for the Saturday game, will receive an Everblades Magnet schedule courtesy of Jack’s Cleaning Services.

Individual games tickets for preseason and opening weekend are currently on sale! Stop by any Ticketmaster outlet, or the Capital Bank Box Office at Germain Arena. The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com

Season ticket packages are currently available, starting at $380 per seat for all 36 home games. Partial-season packages start as low as $150, and offer a flexible option for fans. For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825, or purchase tickets online.