'Blades Topple Gladiators 3-1 on Sunday

DULUTH, GA -- Rob Madore stopped 39 of 40 shots to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 3-1 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators at the Arena at Gwinnett Center Sunday afternoon.  The Everblades conclude the four-game road trip grabbing six of eight possible points.

Just as they did on Saturday night, the Everblades scored first, converting on some quick passing down low.  Corey Trivino dished the puck to Mathieu Roy in the slot. Roy immediately steered the puck to Matthew Pisitlli on the right wing side. Pistilli fired a wrist shot which beat Gwinnett goaltender Nick Niedert.

Four minutes later, Casey Pierro-Zabotel won a battle along the boards and centered a backhanded pass to the slot.  Joey Haddad cruised into the slot, grabbed the puck, and snapped a shot past the glove of Florida netmidner Rob Madore to tie the game at one after the first period.

Things were relatively quiet for the first half of the second period, but that all changed when a 4-on-4 situation opened things up.  Mike Ratchuk carried the puck to the slot and fired a shot off the pad of Niedert. The rebound jumped behind the Gwinnett goaltender, and from the backside of the crease, Aaron Bogosian tapped the puck into the net for the go-ahead goal.

Less than two minutes later, the ‘Blades Corey Trivino was tripped down on a breakaway chance which resulted in a penalty shot.  Trivino made the best of his opportunity, flipping a wrist shot off the leg pad off Niedert and into the back of the net to extend the ‘Blades lead to 3-1 after two periods played.

Gwinnett came out firing in the third, outshooting Florida 16-3 in the period. However, Madore turned aside everything the Gladiators threw his way to secure the 3-1 victory for the Everblades.

Madore was once again stellar stopping 39 of 38 shots to earn his third win in as many days. Niedert takes the loss allowing three goals on 25 shots faced.

GAME NOTES:  Forward Cody Crichton made his Everblades debut on Sunday. Crichton was claimed off waivers from the Stockton Thunder this weekend….Mathieu Roy extended his point scoring streak to 11 games with an assist in the game.  Corey Trivino extended his point scoring streak to six games with a goal and an assist as well.

The ‘Blades now return home to battle Gwinnett on Tuesday, February 19 at Germain Arena. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.   Fans can receive two club level tickets for the price of one simply by mentioning “Two for Tuesday” at the Capital Bank Box Office prior to the game.

Ticket Information: 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

Group discounts are also available, and can save fans up $8 off per ticket from the normal box office price. For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825.