Little Comes Up Big as 'Blades Win 3-1

DULUTH, GA – Mike Little scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Florida Everblades to a 3-1 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators Tuesday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.  The Everblades (21-4-0-3, 43pts) maintain the top spot in the East Division and improve to 2-1 on the current six-game road trip.

After a scoreless first period, it took nearly 13 minutes into the second period before the game’s first goal was scored.  The Everblades attempted to clear the zone, but the puck hit the stick of Gwinnett forward J.P. Labardo and then deflected across the slot to Travis Ouellette who immediately wristed the puck past Florida goaltender Andy Iles for the goal.

The Everblades evened the score at 18:30 of the middle frame on the power play. From the top of the crease, John McInnis tipped and redirected a Jeff Costello shot into the net past Gwinnett netminder Andrew Loewen.

The ‘Blades seized the lead just 55 seconds later when Mike Little finished off a nice transition into the zone with a wrist shot that clipped past Loewen to put the score at 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.

Florida added an insurance marker at 4:13 of the third.  Little broke into the zone and ripped a shot that was stopped by Loewen.  However, the rebound bounced to the left wing circle and Jason Wilson hurled the puck into the open net to extend the lead to 3-1.

Iles and company took care of the rest, to shutdown the Gladiators down the stretch and secure the 3-1 victory.

Iles was sharp in goal stopping 27 of 28 shots, while Loewen drops an impressive outing in his season debut allowing three goals on 31 shots faced.

The Everblades continue their road trip on Wednesday in Charleston for a New Year’s Eve affair with the South Carolina Stingrays.  Game time is set for 6:05 p.m.Fans can listen to the game online at http://theislandfm.net/

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, January 9, 7:30 p.m. vs. Orlando  .Saturday, January 10, 7:00 p.m. vs. Orlando - The Fur Circus will be performing and it's Heroes and Villains Night! 

Ticket Information

Game 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.com

Discounted 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.