FORT WAYNE, Indiana – Ben Meisner stopped 39 of 41 shots to help lead the Fort Wayne Komets to a 5-2 victory over the Florida Everblades Friday night at Memorial Coliseum.
After a scoreless first period, the Komets grabbed the game’s first goal at 5:08 of the second on a goal by Shawn Szydlowski.
Florida countered on a nice goal by Brandon MacLean. Aaron Bogosian backhanded a pass across the ice to a wide open MacLean in front. MacLean patiently held onto the puck and then flipped a backhanded shot past Komets netminder Ben Meisner to tie the game at one.
A minute later, Fort Wayne grabbed the lead right back. Mike Embach intercepted a pass in the slot and fired a shot on goal that was stopped by Florida goaltender Mac Carruth. However, the rebound bounced right to Sy Nutkevitch who slipped the puck into the net for the go-ahead marker.
Less than two minutes later, the Komets extended their lead to 3-1 just before the end of the second period, on a tipped shot in front. After a faceoff win, Matthew Maione’s shot from the point was tipped and redirected into the net by Mitch Bruijsten, giving the Komets a 3-1 lead after two periods.
Fort Wayne added a fourth goal just seven minutes into the third on a shot by the ECHL’s leading scorer Brandon Marino to put the tally at 4-1.
Nearly 90 seconds later, Aaron Clarke put the game out of reach with his 18th goal of the season to extend the Fort Wayne lead to four.
The ‘Blades did strike one more time before the final horn. Newcomer Evan Bloodoff, scored his first goal as an Everblade off the rebound of a Rob Kwiet shot.
Meisner was in control of the game to earn the win stopping 39 of 41 shots faced. Carruth takes the loss allowing five goals on 25 shots faced.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 7:35 p.m. 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 Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.
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