'Blades Close Homestand with Loss to Gwinnett

ESTERO, FL – Brendan Walker scored twice and Sean Berkstresser finished with three points, as the Gwinnett Gladiators defeated the Florida Everblades 7-2 at Germain Arena Saturday night.Halfway through the first, former Everblade Will MacDonald delivered a homerun pass down the ice to Brendan Walker.  Walker converted on the breakaway chance wristing a shot over the shoulder of Florida netminder Andy Iles.Four minutes later, Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored on wrist shot from the slot, while MacDonald grabbed a goal of his own with 31 seconds remaining to give the Gladiators a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period.Gwinnett continued to hammer down on the gas pedal in the second period. At the 1:07 mark Greg Carey wristed a puck past Iles to extend the lead to 4-0.

The lead jumped to 5-0 just two minutes later, when Walker marched into the zone on the right wing side and snapped a shot high past Iles for goal.   Walker’s second goal of the game signaled the end of the night for Iles, who was replaced by York.

Florida momentarily stopped the assault on a goal by Mike Little just a minute later. Little delivered a shot from the high slot that jolted off the inside of the post and into the net to put the ‘Blades on the board.

Gwinnett countered just four minutes later, when Sean Berkstresser delivered a slap pass to the top of the crease that was caught perfectly by Dyson Stevenson.  Stevenson curled around the diving glove of York and stuffed the puck into the net.

Berkstresser grabbed a goal of his own shortly before the end of the second to put Gwinnett on top 7-1 after 40 minutes of play.

The Everblades won the third period of play outshooting the Gladiators 12-7, and receiving a power play goal from Chris Kushneriuk.   Matt Marquardt hammered a one-time drive that was stopped by goaltender Kent Patterson.  However, the rebound was batted into the net by Kushneriuk who extended his goal scoring streak to three games, while scoring five goals in three game this week.

Kushneriuk’s goal made it 7-2, but that would not be enough as Gwinnett rolled to the win.

Patterson earns the win in his Gwinnett debut stopping 26 oif 28 shots, while Iles made five save son ten shots.  York allowed two goals on 16 shots in a relefi effort.

The two teams will meet again next Friday (Jan 23) in Duluth Georgia. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m.

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions.Wednesday, January 28 vs. South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.  –  Enjoy $2 Drafts, wines, and hot dogs in the concourse all night long!   It is also College Night!  College students receive $5 tickets with free parking when they present their college I.D. Friday, January 30 vs. Greenville, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, January 31 vs. Greenville, 7:00 p.m.Hearts & Hockey Ticket Packs are now on sale for just $50!*T-Shirt*Autograph Puck*4-Endzone Ticket Vouchers which can be redeemed for any ganme this season.  To order, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office at Germain Arena.  Hearts & Hockey Packs are also available on game nights at the Everblades information table located in the concourse.

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.The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.