Forney's 2 Goals Lift Eagles to 4-1 Win Over 'Blades

LOVELAND, CO – Michael Forney scored twice to lead the Colorado Eagles to a 4-1 victory over the Florida Everblades at the Budweiser Events Center Saturday night.

The Eagles soared to a 1-0 lead, taking advantage of their first power play opportunity. Arthur Bidwill flipped a shot from the point toward the net which was tipped in front by Michael Forney. Forney’s deflection redirected the puck past Everblades goaltender Pat Nagle for the goal to give Colorado the 1-0 lead after the first period.

Colorado extended their lead in the second as Forney struck again at 5:49 of the period. Forney carried the puck from the corner to the top of the crease. Forney fired  wrist shot which clipped off the top of the glove of Nagle and flipped into the back of the net to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Forney’s goal was his league leading 15th of the season.

Ironically, it would be Colorado who would put Florida on the board at 15:21 of the period. Riley Nelson grabbed the puck at the low circle in his own end, and lost control of the puck and accidentally steered it toward his own net. The puck slid through the legs of Eagles goaltender Adam Brown for the goal to put the score at 2-1.

Before the end of the period, the Eagles transitioned into the Everblades end, and Forney slipped a pass from the slot to Chad Costello who was standing on the left side of the crease. Costello flipped the puck on the backside of Nagle for the goal to put the score at 3-1 through 40 minutes played.

The Everblades controlled play in the third, outshooting the Eagles 13-4 in the final stanza of regulation. However, Colorado continued to play stingy defensively by blocking shots, and clogging the passing and shooting lanes to keep Florida grounded.

For good measure the Eagles added an empty net goal by Trent Daavetilla with 16 seconds remaining to seal the 4-1 victory. 

Pat Nagle takes the loss stopping 21 of 24 shots faced, while Adam Brown earns his second career making 24 saves.

NOTES: Florida went 0-for-6 on the power play, and failed to score a goal on the mad advtange for the first time in nine games…..Mathieu Roy had his point scoring streak snapped at nine games. Roy totaled 16 points (5g, 11a) during that streak which began back on November 4…The Eagles Chad Costello finished with three points, and extended his point scoring streak to 12 games, and has amassed 29 points during that span.

Florida’s next home game is on Friday, November 30 against Greenville. The two teams will meet again on Saturday, December 1, which in 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 at www.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.