Despite Late Rally, 'Blades Fall Short in Greenville

GREENVILLE, SC – Marc-Olivier Vallerand’s three point night lifted the Greenville Road Warriors to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Everblades at the Bi-Lo Center Sunday evening.

For the second straight night, Florida would score first. Moments after an Everblades power play came to a close, Florida continued to control the zone. Mathieu Roy sent a pass across the crease to Matt Beca. Beca fired a shot at an open net on the backside, but Greenville goaltender Nathan Lieuwen dove across and stopped the shot with the stick. However, Matt Marquardt picked up the rebound and shoved the puck into the net for the goal, giving the ‘Blades a 1-0 lead at 13:59 of the first.

Greenville countered with a goal of their own nearly three minutes later. Brandon Wong led a 2-on-1 rush into the zone and slid the puck across to Kenndal McArdle who fired the puck high into the net past Everblades goaltender John Muse for the tying goal.

The Everblades grabbed the lead back after Brendan Connolly was called for cross-checking. Florida a fired a shot in on goal, and David Rutherford grabbed the loose puck at the top of the crease and flipped it into the net to give Florida the 2-1 advantage on the power play.  The physical first period would conclude with the one goal Florida lead.

The Road Warriors tied the game halfway through the period, as Brandon Wong fielded the puck behind the Everblades net. Wong brought it out in front to the top of the crease and flipped a shot past Muse on the blocker side to tie the game at two.

Less than three minutes later, Marc-Olivier Vallerand brought the puck from the point to the high slot and fired a wrist shot into the net past a screened Muse giving Greenville a 3-2 advantage after two periods played.

In the third, Shayne Wiebe snapped a shot from the point which clipped past Muse for the goal. The power play marker extended the Road Warriors lead to 4-2.

Florida responded with a power play goal of their own late in the period, as Bobby Raymond blasted a slapshot from the point which ripped past Lieuwen to pull Florida within one 4-3. The Everblades pulled the goaltender to allow for the extra attacker and was able to generate some scoring chances, but Greenville was able to hold on for the 4-3 win.

Muse will take the loss in goal, allowing four goals on 23 shots, while Lieuwen earns his second win of the season stopping 32 of 35 shots. Vallerand finished the game with a "Gordie Howe" hat-trick, scoring a goal, two assists, and one fighting major.

The Everblades will return home to battle the Elmira Jackals on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:30pm at Germain Arena. Wednesday is also college night, ladies get in free and men get a $5 ticket with a valid college I.D. Fans can enjoy $2 drafts, wines and hot dogs all night long.

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 atwww.ticketmaster.com

Season ticket packages are currently available, for the remaining 30 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.