'Blades Blast Past Komets

FORT WAYNE, Indiana – Trevor Cann made 27 saves to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 3-1 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets Saturday night at the Memorial Coliseum. The win evens the ‘Blades and Komets in points (65) in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Everblades jumped on the board first, taking advantage of their first power play opportunity of the night. Newcomer Cameron Burt blasted a slapshot from the high slot that was initially stopped by Komets goaltender Ben Meisner.  However, the puck slid behind Meisner, and Stefan Della Rovere shoved the puck into the open net for the goal. Florida took the 1-0 lead into the first break.

Fort Wayne grabbed the lone goal in the second period from a fortuitous bounce off a defender’s skate. Mike Embach cruised into the zone and attempted to deliver a pass to the backside of the crease to Mitch Bruijsten.  However, the puck banked off the skate of a Florida defender in front, and deflected into the net behind ‘Blades goaltender Trevor Cann. The goal knotted the game at one after 40 minutes of play.

In the third, Florida pieced together relentless offensive pressure during a power play and the vulnerable minute following the man advantage opportunity.  The ‘Blades cycled the puck well, and used crisp passing to keep the Komets on their heels.  Finally at the 6:24 mark, they found the back of the net as Mike Little took a feed from Aaron Bogosian and wristed a shot cleanly past Meisner for the go-ahead marker.

Nearly two minutes later, Florida added to its lead as Kyle Bonis streaked into the zone on the right wing side and fired a backhand shot at the net. Meisner made the save but the rebound bounced to his right, and was buried into the net by Evan Bloodoff for the goal to extend the lead to 3-1.

Bloodoff has now recorded a goal in each of his two games as an Everblade, after being acquired in a trade with Gwinnett on Wednesday.

The Komets attempted to stage a comeback, but Cann was too good on this night, and turned aside all ten shots faced in the third to secure the 3-1 victory.

Cann was stellar, earning the win stopping 27 of 28 shots faced, while Meisner put forth another solid effort, but takes the loss allowing three goals on 35 shots.

The ‘Blades continue the road trip on Sunday evening against the Evansville Icemen. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The game 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.

The ‘Blades return home on Wednesday, March 26 against Evansville. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, $2 Bud Light drafts, and $2 Barefoot Wines for the game.,

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

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