Henley's Overtime Goal Lifts 'Blades Past Cyclones 5-4

CINCINNATI, OH –  Brent Henley’s goal just 26 seconds into overtime sealed 5-4 victory for the Everblades over the Cincinnati Cyclones at US Bank Arena Wednesday night,

The Everblades looked to their leading scorer to put the game’s first goal on the board. Mathieu Roy held the puck in the corner deep in the Cyclones end. Roy hurled the puck toward the net which clipped off of the skate of goaltender Michael Houser and across the goaline for the goal.

Cincinnati tied the game at 16:50 of the first period in a similar fashion. Josh Birkholz flipped the puck from a tough angle on the side of the net, which clipped off the chest of ‘Blades goaltender Jesse Deckert. The puck bounced in the crease and rolled across the goaline before Deckert could dive across to save it tying the game at a 1-1 count.

Just 15 seconds later, the Everblades grabbed the lead right back. After a furious scramble in front of the Cyclones net, the puck slipped out the slot.  Florida’s Dan Milan swooped in and shoved the puck past Houser of the goal, to give the ‘Blades a 2-1 lead after the first period of play.

Florida added to its lead in the second period, making it 3-1 on a power play goal by Corey Trivino.  The puck deflected off a body in front which bounced right to Trivino on the backside of the crease. Trivino roofed the puck top shelf past an outstretched Houser for the goal.

Half way through the second period, forward Danick Gauthier directed a shot to the net from the boards on the left wing side.  An unsuspecting Houser didn’t see it, and they puck hit off his shoulder and into the net to extend the Florida lead to 4-1 after two periods.

The  Cyclones left the ‘Blades spinning in the third, and pulled within two on a Mike Embach goal 2:49 into the period.

Embach struck again at 15:34 of the period, picking up a rebound in the slot and flipping it past Deckert to pull Cincinnati with one at 4-3.

Nearly two minutes later, the Everblades were caught scrambling in their own end. A tough angled shot was stopped off the pad of Deckert, but the rebound bounced directly to Mathieu Aubin in the slot.  Aubin wristed the puck into the net to tie the game at four sending the game to overtime.

It took just 26 seconds into the overtime session to decide the game. Brent Henley found himself all alone with the puck in the slot. Henley fired a shot which hit off of the arm of House, and into the back of the net for the game winner to seal the 5-4 overtime victory for the ‘Blades.

Deckert earns the win in his pro debut.  The rookie out of the University of Manitoba stopped 37 of 41 shots faced in the game. House takes the loss allowing five goals on 26 shots faced.

GAME NOTES:  Forward Danick Gauthier who reassigned to the ‘Blades from Syracuse o Monday, scored his first goal in the second in his ECHL debut…Mathieu Roy finished the game with a goal and two assists….The physical battled featured five separate fighting altercations as both teams combined for 99 penalty minutes in the game…Everblades Equipment Manager John Sellars served as the team’s emergency back-up goaltender in the game.

The ‘Blades now travel to Fort Wayne to battle the Komets on Friday. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m. EST.  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

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