Blades Hold off Reign 5-4 in Overtime

Ontario, CA – Though their three-goal, second period lead went by the boards, the Florida Everblades were able to squeak by the Ontario Reign 5-4 in overtime Sunday at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

As they did Friday against the Reign, the Everblades struck first on Sunday as Rocco Carzo finished a one-timer off a back door pass from Kellan Tochkin to push the Blades ahead 1-0 3:49 into the game.

Reign forward Dylan Wruck, who victimized Florida for a hat trick two nights prior, evened the score at one with 6:47 left in the first on the power play, ending the Blades’ streak of consecutive penalties killed at 19.

Carzo dialed up a response 70 seconds later, redirecting a cross-ice pass from Brandon MacLean over the blocker of Ontario goalie Mathias Niederberger to push the visitors back ahead 2-1.

A.J. Jenks doubled the lead to two at 3-1 with 1:24 remaining in the opening frame, pinballing a bad-angle shot of Niederberger for his second goal in as many nights.

The Blades’ power play, which struck for three goals at Bakersfield Saturday, kept clicking with 7:49 to go in the second as Matthew Pistilli bombed home a Jenks rebound to push the lead out to 4-1 for Florida.

Ontario pushed back with 5:57 left in the middle frame when Brady Calla tapped in a Cameron Burt rebound past Blades netminder Jesse Deckert to slice the Blades’ edge to 4-2.

Mario Lamoreux got the Reign into striking distance at 4-3 with 10:22 to go in regulation, sneaking a shot past Deckert inside the short post.

Another power play goal for Ontario evened the score 4-4 as Reign captain Derek Couture got wide open at the Blades’ goal crease and waited out Deckert before rolling a low shot home with 5:47 showing on the third period timer, eventually sending the game to overtime.

Though the Everblades could not cash in a wrap-around power play from the end of the third, it provided enough early OT momentum for Pistilli to muscle home his own rebound 32 seconds into extra time to deliver the Blades the weekend sweep of Ontario and improve Florida to 5-0-0-0 on the year.

Deckert secured his third straight win on 23 saves; Niederberger fell to 1-0-1-0 on just 13 saves.

The Blades will wrap up their four-game West Coast trip Tuesday when they pay a visit to Orleans Arena to take on the Las Vegas Wranglers in a rematch of the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals scheduled for 10:05pm EST.

Tuesday’s grudge match will be broadcast locally on FOX Sports Radio 1350 AM and worldwide online on America ONE, the official internet television provider for the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 9:50pm.

2013-14 Season Ticket Package Information

Ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are currently on sale—and going fast!  Full season packages begin at $380, while 10 and 20 game packages start as low as $160. Sign-up for a new season ticket package today, and receive a $20 gift card per seat to Outback Steakhouse!

For more information call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office located at Germain Arena.

Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

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