Eagles Edge 'Blades 6-5 in Overtime Shootout

LOVELAND, CO – Joey Sides goal in the fifth-round of the overtime shootout, sealed a 6-5 Colorado Eagles victory over the Florida Everblades Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center.

Florida wasted little time to get on the board. Aaron Bogosian grabbed the puck behind the net and slipped the puck past Eagles goaltender Kyle Jones on the wrap-around for the goal. The goal came just 1:14 into the game and gave the ‘Blades a 1-0 lead.

Colorado tied the game on the power play at 12:47, as Jack Combs hammered a one-timer past Florida goaltender John Muse on the backside.

Nearly three minutes later, Combs stuck again, receiving a cross-ice feed at the circle and wristing the puck again on the backside to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

Florida tied game late in the first, as Tommi Kivisto lifted a shot toward the Colorado net, which was redirected in front on a tip by Matt Marquardt. Marquardt’s tip steered the puck past Jones and into the back of the net to tie the game at two.

In the second, the Eagles took a two-goal advantage on a goal by Chad Costello from the slot, and a 4-on-4 goal by Trent Daavetilla.  The two goal propelled the Eagles to a 4-2 advantage.

The Everblades responded on a strong play to the net by Leigh Salters. Salters skated the puck into the zone on the right wing side, and swung around defenseman Jason Beatty toward Eagles net. Salters directed a shot in the crease which pin-balled between the legs of Jones for the power play goal to pull Florida within one.

Florida tied the game at 14:12 of the middle frame, on a second power play goal by Mathieu Roy. Roy’s goal put the score at 4-4 after 40 minutes played.

In the third, Florida reclaimed the lead on its third power play strike of the night. Alex Hutchings slipped behind the defense and sent a sniper’s shot past the glove of Jones and into the right corner of the net to give the Everblades the 5-4 lead with 15-minutes remaining in regulation.

However, the lead did not last long, as 52 seconds later Colorado knotted the game at five. Aaron Schneekloth faked a shot on the left wing, and flipped the puck toward the crease. Trent Daavetilla reached out with the stick and tipped the puck past Muse for the tying goal, and for his second score of the night.

The two teams skated to 5-5 tie in regulation, forcing overtime. The Eagles buzzed the net on a couple chances in the extra session, but Muse made the necessary saves to keep the puck out to force the shootout.

The two teams went into the fifth-round of the shootout tied at one on goals by Corey Trivino (FLA) and Chad Costello (COL).  In the top half of the fifth round, Colorado’s Joey Sides skated the to the left side of the crease, and made a spin move. Sides cradled the puck on the backhand and slid the puck around Muse for the goal.  Florida’s Tommi Kivisto attempted to keep the game alive but was unable to beat Jones, and the Eagles soared to the 6-5 shootout win.

Muse takes the loss allowing five goals on 38 shots, while Jones gets the win stopping 16 of 21 shots.  

NOTES:  The Everblades have now scored a power play goal in nine straight contest….With a goal and an assist in the game, Captain Mathieu Roy extended his points scoring streak to nine games. Roy has registered 16 points during that stretch…Chad Costello finished with three points on the night, and has extended his point scoring streak to 11 games.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at the Budweiser Events Center. Game time is slated for 9:05 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The game will be broadcast on 96 K-Rock (96.1 FM), or online on at www.floridaeverblades.com

Florida’s next home game is on Friday, November 30 against Greenville. The two teams will meet again on Saturday, December 1, which is the annual IBERIABANK Teddy Bear Toss game. Bring a stuffed animal to throw onto the ice after the Blades score their first goal. All of the stuffed animals will be rounded-up and distributed to local children’s charities.

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 28 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.