Everblades Close Road Trip with 5-4 Win at Greenville

GREENVILLE, SC –  For the second time in as many nights, Evan Bloodoff scored two goals to help lead the Everblades to a 5-4 victory over the Greenville Road Warriors at  Bons Secours Wellness Arena Saturday evening.  The Everblades (23-5-0-1, 47pts) end the six-game road trip with a 4-2 record.The Everblades grabbed the lead early, when a bouncing puck found Alex Lavoie in the slot.  Lavoie immediately fired a wrist shot that beat Greenville goaltender Jeff Malcolm on the blocker side at 2:52 of the opening frame.

Just ten minutes later, Evan Bloodoff made it 2-0 on his wrist shot from the slot.

Bloodoff struck again at 3:03 of the second period on another wrist shot, this time from the left wing circle to extend the lead to 3-0.

Greenville responded just 49 seconds later on the power play. Ryan Hegarty delivered a shot on net which was stopped by Florida netminder Allen York. However, the rebound bounced directly to an unguarded Kyle Jean who shoved the puck into the open net to put the Road Warriors on the board.

Later in the period, Florida reclaimed its three-goal advantage when Jeff Costello blazed into the zone and skated past the Greenville defense, and snuck a backhand shot past Malcolm.  The strong play by Costello gave the ‘Blades a 4-l lead at the second break.

Tyler Brown initiated Greenville’s comeback bid just a minute into the third when he tipped a shot from the point past York.

The Everblades assumed its third three-goal lead of the game at 13:36 when Adam Brace unleashed a hard wrister into the back of the net for the goal to put the ‘Blades on top 5-2.

It would appear the Everblades had this one in hand, but Greenville gambled late in the period pulling the goaltender to allow for the extra attacker.  It worked, as Kyle jean steered a pass across the slot to Brown who one-timed a shot behind York for the third Greenville goal.

Just 12 seconds later, and the net still empty, Brown  again found himself with the puck after a shot from the point.  Brown picked up the loose puck and flipped it into the net to complete the natural hat trick and  remarkably pull the Road Warriors within one with 1:18 remaining.

Despite the dramatics, the Everblades held on to secure the close 5-4 victory and close the road trip with a 4-2 mark.

York earns the win allowing four goals on 33 shots, while Malcolm takes the loss topping 33 of 38 shots faced.

Bloodoff finished the game with two goals, and finished the week with five goals in four games played.

The Everblades will now return home and will open up a five-game homestand next Friday (Jan. 9) against the Orlando Solar Bears. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena.

Fans can listen to all Everblades games online at http://theislandfm.net/

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsFriday, 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 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.###