Everblades Battle Back for 5-4 Victory

ESTERO, FL – Alex Lavoie finished with a goal and an assist to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 5-4 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators Wednesday night.  The Everblades (18-3-0-1, 37 pts) extended their winning streak to six games.While it has been the Everblades who have started games fast and furious recently, it was the Gladiators who stormed out of the gates Wednesday.  Jordan Southorn took the first shot of the game just 25 seconds into the contest and scored the first goal. Southorn’s shot from the blue line beat a screened Daniel Altshuller for the tally.

Gwinnett made it 2-0 halfway through the first on a breakaway tally by former Everblade Will MacDonald.

Florida got on the board at 13:48 of the opening frame when Jeff Costello fed the puck to a wide open Alex Lavoie at the top of the crease.  Lavoie immediately batted the puck into the net for the goal to put the score at 2-1 after the first period.

The ‘Blades tied it nearly five minutes into the second when Mike Aviani (pictured above)lobbed a perfect feed across the ice to John McInnis who angled the puck past Gwinnett netminder Mike Lee for the goal.

Just two minutes later, the Everblades grabbed the lead on the power play.   Mike Little fired a shot form the blue line which was tipped and redirected into the net by Kevin Lynch.

Evan Bloodoff made it 4-2, when he hurled a wrist shot from the top of the right wing circle which clipped past a screened Lee for the goal.

Artem Sergeev scored the fifth unanswered goal for the Everblades with a slapshot from the point that ripped into the net to put the scored at 5-2.

The Gladiators finally countered 90 seconds later on a power play strike by J.P. Labardo.  Two minutes later Joe Stejskal’s shot beat a screened Altshuller to pull the Gladiators within one.  However, Gwinnett’s comeback bid would eventually fall shot as Florida prevailed 5-4

Altshuller improves to 6-1 on the season stopping 27 of 31 shots faced while, Lee takes the loss allowing five goals on 32 shots.

GAME NOTES: Prior to the game, Mike Little was returned to the Everblades from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

The two teams will meet again on Friday at Germain Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Game details listed below.

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsFriday, December 19, 7:30 p.m. vs. Gwinnett Gladiators -- Holiday Game!   Skate with Santa and the Everblades players following the game.  Fans must bring their own skates, as skate rentals will not be available for Friday's postgame skate.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.

12 & 24 Game Ticket Packages are currently on sale!  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.

Holiday Ticket Packs are now on sale!  Receive four endzone vouchers for any game during the regular season, an Everblades holiday t-shirt, and an autograph puck for just $50!  Holiday packs will be available at the Everblades information table in the concourse during home games, or at the Everblades main office located a Germain Arena.