Estero, FL – The Florida Everblades erased a 3-0 third period deficit to force overtime but fell in extra time 4-3 to the Toledo Walleye Saturday at Germain Arena to finish their three-game homestand with a 1-1-1 mark.

Staring down a three-goal deficit through 40 minutes—just as they did Friday against Elmira—the Blades once again got a goal from Mathieu Roy in the first minute of the third as the captain jammed home a Jordan Henry rebound to cut into the lead at 3-1.

Rocco Carzo continued the rally with 8:09 to go in regulation, pulling around a shot-block attempt in transition and faking a pass to Carl Nielsen before burying his fourth of the year through the five hole of Toledo goalie Mac Carruth, pulling Florida within one at 3-2.

A late penalty on Toledo’s Alden Hirschfeld allowed Blades head coach Greg Poss to pull goalie Jesse Deckert for an extra attacker. On the ensuing power play, Henry grabbed the loose puck off a blocked Mike Little shot and zipped a low liner off the near post and in, tying the game at three with a minute left in regulation and forcing overtime.

Unfortunately for the Everblades, however, Toledo collected their third power play goal of the night with 2:20 left in the extra frame as defenseman Jason Lapine looped a low shot that knuckled under Deckert’s glove and in, dealing Florida a 4-3 defeat at home.

Toledo led 1-0 after one on a Travis Novak goal in the first before exploding for a pair of power play strikes from Martin Frk and Russ Sinkewich to hold that 3-0 edge at the second intermission.

Deckert made 19 saves but slipped to 6-1-1-1 on the year; Carruth stopped 37 shots to secure his fourth win of the young season.

The Blades now embark on a three-game divisional road trip, starting Thursday with a 7:05pm date with the defending South Division champion Gwinnett Gladiators at The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

Thursday’s Florida-Georgia throwdown will be broadcast locally on FOX Sports Radio 1350 AM and worldwide online on America ONE, the official broadband and mobile broadcaster of the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 6:50pm.

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.

###