Blades’ Late Rally Not Enough

Estero, FL – The Florida Everblades put up a mighty rally in the final four minutes of the game but could not complete the comeback, falling 3-1 to the Fort Wayne Komets at Germain Arena Saturday.

Fort Wayne took the with 4:39 left in the first period as Kenton Miller tallied his second in as many nights, beating Blades goalie Connor Knapp with a quick-release snapshot inside the right post to make it 1-0 Komets after one.

Matt Carter pushed the visitors edge to 2-0 just 50 seconds into the middle frame, taking a clear-out pass from Mike Embach out of the penalty box and beating Knapp glove side on the ensuing breakaway.

Embach followed that up on the power play, blasting a low shot that Scott Fleming redirected through Knapp’s legs with 2:08 to go in the second for a 3-0 cushion for Fort Wayne after two.

Florida finally broke the spell of Komet netminder Ben Meisner with 3:16 to go in the game as a looping shot from Beau Schmitz was deflected in by Trevor Bruess, pulling the Blades to within 3-1.

Though the final three-plus minutes of regulation were played inside the Komet zone, the Blades could draw no closer, falling 3-1 as Meisner denied multiple point-blank looks with Knapp pulled for the extra attacker.

Knapp suffered his third straight loss despite 25 saves while Meisner turned aside 32 of 33 Everblade efforts for his second straight win over Florida.

The Blades now head out on the road to open a three-game series against the Gwinnett Gladiators at The Arena at Gwinnett Center Friday at 7:05pm.

Friday’s series opener will be broadcast live online at FloridaEverblades.com and on the Everblades’ app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with a video webcast available through America ONE, the official broadband and mobile broadcaster of the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 6:50pm.

Beat the Box Office!

Don’t want to pay the box office rate for Everblades tickets? You don’t have to! Save up to $7.00 per ticket with great 10 and 20-game flex plans and group rates for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign. Lock in your flex plan or group seats now for the Blades’ next home game on February 21.

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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