Second Period Barrage Lifts Blades to Sixth Straight Win

Second Period Barrage Lifts Blades to Sixth Straight Win

Las Vegas, NV – The Florida Everblades struck for three goals in the second period then fended off a late rally for a 5-3 win over the Las Vegas Wranglers Tuesday at Orleans Arena, securing a four-game sweep of their West Coast trip and their sixth straight victory to open 2013-14.

John Henrion got the Blades started 1:23 into the game, firing a puck from the half-wall into the net off Wranglers goalie Travis Fullerton for his first professional goal and a quick 1-0.

There the lead would stay through the end of the first as Everblades goalie Jesse Deckert was called on to make eight saves as Las Vegas pushed back toward the end of the opening frame.

Henrion followed up with 16:11 left in the second, powering home a feed from Brandon MacLean to double the lead to 2-0. The assist extended MacLean’s league-best point streak to five games.

When Florida was awarded a major penalty six minutes into the second—Las Vegas forward Alex Huxley was given match penalty for head contact—Matthew Pistilli cashed it in, blasting in a one-timer from Danick Gauthier at the 10:38 mark to boost the Blades’ advantage to 3-0.

Las Vegas got on the board 93 seconds later with a shorthanded strike from Matt Tassone who wired a shot in transition over Deckert’s glove to shave the lead to 3-1.

It only took the Everblades 2:05 to respond as MacLean bombed home a one-timer from Kyle Bonis to restore a three-goal lead at 4-1.

Wranglers blueliner Jeff May scored back-to-back goals in a span of 5:16 in the third to pull Las Vegas within one goal, but an empty-netter by Pistilli delivered the Blades their league-high sixth consecutive victory.

With the two goals, Pistilli is now tops in the league in points (11) and goals (7).

Deckert denied 22 of 25 Las Vegas attempts to pick up his ECHL-best fourth win; Fullerton stopped 29 shots but slipped to 2-2-0-0 on the young season.

The Blades now return home to open a home-and-home set with the Orlando Solar Bears, starting Friday at 7:30pm at Germain Arena.

It will be “Sweets in the Suites Night” as the Everblades invite fans of all ages to come in costume. Kids will be able to trick-or-treat with Swampee through the suites during the first intermission, with a costume contest to follow in the second intermission. All fans in costume Friday will receive $5.00 off any Premium seat.

Friday’s intrastate showdown 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 7:15pm.

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.###