'Blades Pretty in Pink; Defeat Gladiators 3-2

ESTERO, FL – Corey Trivino finished with a goal and an assist to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 3-2 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators Saturday night at Germain Arena.

Florida was determined to strike first and came out firing with a high tempo style of play.  Mathieu Roy grabbed the puck at the right wing circle and skated to the front of the net. After a couple of crafty moves with the stick, Roy slid the puck through the five-hole of Gladiators goaltender Jody O’Neil.  Florida took the 1-0 lead into the first break.

Gwinnett netted the equalizer at 2:05 of the second period. Sasha Guimond fired a slapshot from the point which was tipped in front by Nick Walsh. Walsh’s tip redirected the puck past Florida goaltender Pat Nagle for the goal.

The ‘Blades got into penalty trouble in the second period and was forced to kill off several penalties.  However, on one penalty the kill, Florida managed to take the lead taking advantage of a shorthanded 2-on-1 rush into the zone.  Mike Merrifield stretched a pass across the ice to Aaron Bogosian who wristed the puck past O’Neil on the shortside to give Florida the 2-1 lead after two periods.  The goal was the fourth shorthanded marker scored by Bogosian this season.

The Everblades came out even harder in the third period, and their efforts were rewarded.  After two big saves by O’Neil on some quality scoring chances by Florida, the Everblades continued to attack the Gwinnett net.  Matthew Pistilli quickly grabbed the puck and wristed the puck out in front to a wide open Corey Trivino. Trivino hurled the puck into the net past a sliding O’Neil to pull Florida ahead by two.

The ‘Blades continued to control the third period, but did surrender a late goal in the final minute of regulation.  Guimond pulled his team within one with 45 seconds remaining on a slapshot from the blue line.  The power play tally marked the ninth goal of the year for Guimond.

The late goal would not be enough, as Florida hung on for the 3-2 win.  Pat Nagle earned the win making 24 saves, while Jody O’Neil took the loss allowing three goals on 36 shots faced.

Florida hits the road for a four-game swing up north. Beginning in Cincinnati on Wednesday (March 6) at 7:35 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.