Everblades Rally in the Third to Defeat Gladiators 6-4

ESTERO, FL – Mitch Wahl scored the go-ahead goal with 4:53 remaining in regulation to help lead the Everblades to a 6-4 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators Friday night at Germain Arena.   With the win, the Everblades (10-2-0-1, 21 points) extend their win streak to four games.The Everblades got on the board first halfway though the first period.  Chris Kushneriuk picked up a rebound off an Adam Brace shot and flipped the puck past Gwinnett goaltender Adam brown for the goal.Nearly two minutes later,  the ‘Blades extended their lead on the power play, as Evan Bloodoff scored a goal off a rebound show of his own.  Bloodoff’s goal was a his team leading sixth of the season.

Gwinnett rallied to tie the game on a pair of power play goals by Marshall Everson.  Everson buried the first tally by blasting a one-timer from the right wing circle behind Allen York, after accepting a cross-ice feed from Gerry Nunn.  Everson netted his second tally on the night flipping a rebound high into the net past an outstretched York at 18:46 of the first.

Florida did take a one-goal lead into the first intermission with 17 seconds remaining in the opening period. Defenseman Mike Cornell directed a sharp pass to the Adam Brace low at the left wing circle.  Brace angled the puck off his stick behind Brown for the goal to give the ‘Blades a 3-2 lead.

Gwinnett turned up the heat in the second period to take a lead of their own.  Stevenson broke into the zone on the 2-on-1 rush and ripped a slapshot low at the right wing circle which beat York for the tying goal.

Late in the second, the Gladiators caught the Everblades in a line change and created a 2-on-0 opportunity in front.  Everson slid a pass across the low slot to Brendan Walker who steered the puck into the net to give Gwinnett its first lead of the game at 4-3 through 40 minutes played.

In the third, Florida used a fortuitous bounce in their favor to knot the game at four.  Rookie forward Jeff Costello carried the puck to just outside the net.  Costello flipped a shot toward the crease which hit the skate of Gwinnett defenseman Bo Dolan and deflected into the net for the goal.

Just seconds after a power play opportunity,  the Everblades grabbed the lead at 15:07.  Mike Little wristed a shot from the slot that was stopped by Brown, but the rebound bounced directly to Mitch Wahl at the left wing circle.  Wahl immediately hurled the puck into the open net to give Florida the 5-4 advantage.

The Everblades added an empty-net insurance goal in the final minute from John McInnis to secure the 6-4 victory.

Allen York earned his 7th consecutive victory in goal stopping 26 of 30 shots, while Brown takes the loss allowing five goals on 41 shots faced.

GAME NOTES:  Mike Little extended his point streak to seven games with his third period assists.  Little’s streak began back on November 1, and he has collected nine points (2g, 7a) during this stretch.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at Germain Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Broadcast Information: Fans can listen to the game online at TheIslandFM,net   or watch the game online at ECHL.TV

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsSaturday, November 22, 7:00 p.m. -- Latino Heritage Night, presented by Telemundo! McDonald's Tailgate Party begins at 5:00 p.m. featuring live music, bounce houses, and face painting for the kids. Ticket InformationGame Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Century Link Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.comDiscounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.2014-15 Ticket Packages are currently on sale! Full season and 12-game, and 24-game options are also available! All packages save you money from the box office price, and come with many great benefits.  For more information call  239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades Main Office located at Germain Arena, Monday—Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.