Shugg Scores Twice as 'Blades Defeat Nailers 4-3

WHEELING, WV – Justin Shugg scored twice, while John Muse made 41 saves to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Wheeling Nailers at Wesbanco Arena Friday night.

Justin Shugg scored the first of his two goals at 8:50 of the first period. Leigh Salters connected on a give-and-go pass to Shugg who lifted the puck high into the net past Wheeling goaltender Scott Darling for the goal to give Florida the 1-0 lead.

Just 18 seconds later, the Everblades struck again, taking advantage of a 3-on-1 rush into the zone. Bobby Raymond received a pass from across the ice and steered a shot past the blocker of Darling for the goal to put the score at 2-0.

Shugg scored the second of his two goals at 12:53 finishing off a 2-on-0 rush. Rookie forward Corey Trivino slid a pass across the crease to Shugg who directed the puck into the net behind Darling to give Florida the 3-0 lead after the first period of play.

Wheeling got on the board at 7:04 into the second period, converting on the power play. Carl Sneep fired a shot from the point which clipped past a screened John Muse for the goal to put the game at 3-1. The 3-1 scored held until the end of the second period.

In the third, Wheeling pulled within one at 6:26 as Zurevinski circled the net, and fired a shot on goal that squeezed through the body of the Muse and the backside post to put the score at 3-2.

Florida was assessed a penalty in the final minute, and with its goaltender pulled to allowed for the extra Attacker, Wheeling had a 6-on-4 advantage. After a shot from the point, the puck bounced to the front of the net and Chris Higgins jammed the puck past a diving Muse for the tying goal with 30 seconds remaining in regulation forcing overtime.

Neither team scored in the extra session, sending the game to be decided in the shootout. Everblades forward Brayden Irwin was the only player to score in the five-round shootout as Florida held on for the 4-3 victory.

Florida was outshot 31-8 in the final two periods and overtime. The win as the first for the Everblades in the shootout, who were 0-4 in their four previous attempts. John Muse earns the win stopping 41 of 44 shots faced in the game. Scott Darling takes the loss allowing three goals on just 16 shots faced.

The two teams will square off again on Saturday at Wesbanco Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 96 K-Rock (96.1 FM), and online by at www.floridaeverblades.com

Florida’s next home game is Wednesday, December 19 against the Orlando Solar Bear. Game time is 7:30 p.m. 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

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.