DULUTH, GA -- Greg Carey netted a hat trick to help lead the GwinnettGladiators to a wild 7-5 victory over the Florida Everblade Fridaynight at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
After taking a 1-0 lead on a tally from Alex Lavoie in the first, theEverblades surrendered two goals in the final 90 seconds of theopening frame to JP Labardo and Greg Carey, Gwinnett took the onegoal edge into first intermission.
The Everblades grabbed the lead back in the middle frame on goals fromMike Aviani and Lavoie's second of the game. Aviaini's goal came on awrister from the slot that ripped past Gwinnett goaltender KentPatterson at 5:48.
Just five minutes later, Adam Brace fed a pass to Lavoie in the slotwho wristed the puck high into the net for the go-ahead goal to giveFlorida the 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Gwinnett exploded for five goals in the third period. The first twoof those goals came off the stick of Carey. Carey netted his secondof the game at 3:47. He then secured the hat trick at 6:09 on a greatend-to-end effort in which he finished after fighting off a Floridadefender,and slipping the puck past netminder Allen York tp put thescore at 4-3.
Labardo registered his second goal of the game just a minute later toextend the Giwnnett lead to 5-3.
The roller coaster period continued, when Lavoie centered a feed toBrace in the slot. Brace snapped a shot into the net for his teambest 15th goal of the season to pull Florida within one.
However, just 30 seconds later, Gerry Nunn beat York on a wrsit shotfrom the circle which put Gladiators back ahead by two.
The Everblades kept their chances alive on a power play tally formEvan Bloodoff with seven minutes remaining to once again pull withinone.
Despite the goal, Gwinnett added an empty net tally from WillMacDonald in the final minute to secure the wild 7-5 victory.
The two teams meet again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Duluth.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.
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