Greenville, SC – Posted to a 2-1 lead near the half-way mark of Friday’s game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, the Florida Everblades appeared to be sitting pretty—until a surge of five straight goals by the home side sent the Blades to a 6-2 defeat to the Greenville Road Warriors.

Florida briefly took their only lead of the night 7:40 into the second period when Kyle Bonis cashed in a 3-on-2 rush from Brandon MacLean for his 17th goal of 2013-14, the most by any rookie.

Less than a minute later, Philip-Michael Devos couldn’t convert a breakaway on Warriors goalie Jason Missiaen and on the ensuing clear-out, Florida took a too many men on the ice minor. On the ensuing power play, Marc-Olivier Vallerand scorched a snap shot past the glove of Blades goalie Trevor Cann to tie the game at two with 10:39 left in the middle frame.

Greenville took a 3-2 advantage at the 7:42 mark of the second when Michael St. Croix one-timed a backhander off of Cann and in after a defensive-zone turnover by the Blades came to him just outside the Florida goal crease.

Rookie Kyle Jean—a junior teammate of Bonis’—extended the Warriors’ edge to 4-2 with 6:47 gone in the third, tucking the puck between Cann and the post before the defense could clear it away for his first goal.

Jordie Johnston and Vallerand each tacked on a power play goal in the final eight minutes of regulation, giving Greenville five unanswered goals and a 6-2 win.

St. Croix gave Greenville an early lead by banking a backhander off of Cann and in, but Trevor Bruess’ 11th of the year tied the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

Cann made 27 stops but endured his first loss since January 10. Missiaen, who replaced starter Jeff Malcolm after the first, made 20 saves in relief for the victory.

The Blades will look to bounce back and earn a split with the Warriors Saturday with a 7:00pm tilt at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Saturday’s rematch 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 6:45pm.

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 19.

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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