'Blades Power Past Komets 6-2

EVERBLADES POWER PAST KOMETS 6-2 FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN

FORT WAYNE, IN – Danick Gauthier and Tyson Gimblett each scored twice to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 6-2 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets Saturday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.  Florida has now won four straight games.

The Everblades stormed out the gates scoring on the power at 4:32 of the period. From the left side of the net, Mathieu Roy sent a pass across the crease to Matthew Pistilli who buried the puck on the back of goaltender Jeff Deslauriers for the goal and the early 1-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, the Everblades centered a feed in the slot to Tyson Gimblett who fired a wrist shot into the back of the net to extend the ‘Blades lead to 2-0.

Late in the period the Everblades went on their second power play opportunity and converted. Danick Gauthier picked up a rebound from Olivier Malka shot and shoved it into the net on for the third goal of the game. Florida took the 3-0 advantage into the first intermission.

The ‘Blades added to their lead in the second on another goal by Gauthier on the power play. Gauthier grabbed a loose rebound in the slot and wristed a shot past the blocker of Deslauriers to put the score at 4-0 after two periods.

Just 38 seconds into the third Florida scored a shorthanded marker.  Gimblett picked the pocket of the Fort Wayne defensemen at his own blue line, and charged back the other way on a shorthanded breakaway.  Giblet cruised to the slot and wristed the puck through the five-hole of the goaltender to propel the score to 5-0.

The Komets got on the board at 6:18 on a goal by Mike Syroczynski. Nick Wheeler fired a shot from the right wing side which was stopped off the pad of ‘Blades goaltender Jesse Deckert.  However, the rebound bounced to the far side wing and Syroczynski fired the puck into the net for the goal.

Florida continued to press, scoring its sixth goal of the game at 15:57. Brandon MacLean led a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush into the zone and slid a pass across the ice to Gauthier. Gauthier fired off a shot which was stopped by Deslauriers. The rebound bounced to the backside of the crease, where an awaiting MacLean fired the puck into the net on the backside to give the Everblades a 6-1 advantage.

Fort Wayne did receive a goal in the final minute from Jeremy Gates, but it would not be enough as the Everblades went on to win the game by the 6-2 count. The six-goal output marked the second time in as many games that the ‘Blades have managed to score six goals in a game.

Jesse Deckert was once again solid, stopping 31 of 33 shots to improve to 3-0 on the season. Deslauriers takes the loss allowing six goals on 31 shots faced in the game.

Florida now travels to Kalamazoo to battle the K-Wings on Sunday afternoon beginning at 3:00 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on 96 K-Rock (96.1 FM).

The Everblades next home game is Wednesday, March 13 against the South Carolina Stingrays.  It will be the final Wednesday game of the regular season, and the fan’s last chance to enjoy $2 drafts, $2 wines, and $2 hot dogs all night long!

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 at www.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