'Blades End Road Trip with Wild 7-6 Win

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Gabriel Desjardins scored twice to help lead the Florida Everblades to a wild 7-6 victory over the Indy Fuel at the Fairgrounds Coliseum Friday night. The Everblades close out their four-game road trip with a 3-1 record. (pictured above Alex Lavoie)

In the first ever meeting between the Everblades and the Indy Fuel, it was the ‘Blades who raced out of the starting gate grabbing a lead in the game’s first minute.  Just 50 seconds into the contest, Gabriel Desjardins gathered a loose puck in the slot and lifted a backhand shot that clipped past Indy netminder Cody Reichard for the goal

Just moments later, the Everblades made it 2-0 when Cameron Burt ripped a shot form the blue line that screamed high past the glove of Reichard and into the net at the 2:34 mark.

Indy responded nearly three minutes later on a power play strike by Garett Bembridge. Bembridge one-timed shot from the left wing circle which beat goaltender Daniel Altshuller to pull the Fuel within one.

Halfway through the first, Alex Lavoie backhanded a rebound into the net to give Florida a 3-1 lead at the first break.

Brant Harris extended the Florida lead by three when he threw the puck from behind the net in front toward the crease.  The puck hit off an Indy skate and banked into the net for the fortuitous tally.

Two minutes later, Fuel captain Michael Duco wrested a centering feed from the slot into the net on the power play to put the score at 4-2.

Florida countered on a power play strike of their own just five minutes later.  After a faceoff win, Alex Aleardi lifted a pass to Desjardins at the top of the crease. Desjardins angled the puck off his stick high into the net past Reichard to give the ‘Blades a three-goal edge again at 5-3.

Just 90 seconds later, Pete Massar snapped a shot from the right wing circle that snuck past Altshuller on the blocker side to keep the Fuel within striking distance.

Shortly before the close of the second period, Florida grabbed a three-goal edge right back at 6-3 with Chris Kushneriuk’s shorthanded marker.

Indy pulled within one in the first five minutes of the third with a powerplay strike from Duco, and a shorthanded goal by Anders Franson.   However, the Everblades immediately grabbed some distance just over a minute later on the power play.  Mike Aviani flipped a backhand shot across the crease to Jeff Costello who put the puck behind goaltender Jordan Tibbett who came in relief of Reichard at the start of the third.

The Fuel refused to go down without a fight and pulled within one at 15:45 on their fourth power play goal of the night.  Dean Chelios tipped and redirected a shot from the point into the net to pull the score at 7-6.

The rally fell just short, as the Everblades escaped a barrage of shots late in the game to hang on for the one-goal victory.

Altshuller earns his fifth win of the season (5-1-0-0) stopping 36 of 32 shots while Reichard takes the loss allowing six goals on 31 shots.   Tibbett stopped five of six shots in his professional debut in a relief effort.

Florida returns home to open up a five-game homestand on Wednesday (Dec. 10) against the Elmira Jackals.

GAME NOTES:  With an assist in the game, Mike Little extended his point scoring streak to 12 games.  Little’s streak began back on November 1.Broadcast Information: Fans can listen to the game online at TheIslandFM,net   or watch the game online at ECHL.TV

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Wednesday December 10, 7:30 p.m. vs. Elmira Jackals -- Fans can enjoy $2 drafts, $2 Wines, and $2 hot dogs in the concourse all night long!  Wednesday games are alsoCollege Nights!  Students can receive a game ticket for just $5 with free parking when they present their College I.D.Friday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. vs. Indy Fuel -- Community Service Night! .

Saturday, December 13, 7:00 p.m. vs. Indy Fuel -- Annual Teddy Bear Toss, presented by IBERIABANK! Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to the game.  When the Everblades score their first goal, fans may throw those stuffed toys onto to the ice to celebrate!  The teddy bears and stuffed animals will be rounded up and delivered to local children's charities across the area for the Holidays.  This is one of the biggest events of the year, so come be a part of it!

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!  12-game, and 24-game options are 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.