ESTERO, FL – Chris Kushneriuk netted a hat trick and added an assist, but the Florida Everblades fell in the overtime shootout to the Tulsa Oilers 6-5 at Germian Arena Wednesday night. The Everblades dropped their second consecutive game in the shootout, but did pick up a point in the standings despite trailing by two goals three different times in the hockey game.Tulsa took a 2-0 lead in the game’s first 12 minutes on goals from Adam Pleskach and Jeff Jubinville.
The Everblades pulled within one at 13:15 of the opening frame when Chris Kushneriuk delivered a wrist shot from the slot which beat Tulsa goaltender Kevin Carr.
The Oilers reclaimed a two-goal edge in the second when Jon Booras slipped a pass across the crease behind goaltender Allen York to a wide open Pleskach. Pleskach tapped the puck into the open net for league best 24th goal of the season.
Florida pulled within one when Alex Lavoie batted a bouncing puck out of the air and directing it behind Carr for the tally at 14:15 of the second. However, the Oliers were able to dig up their third two-goal lead of the game on Tommy Mele’s 11th strike of the year.
The two teams continued to exchange goals, as just 20 second later, Kushneriuk tipped and redirected an Evan Bloodoff shot past Carr for the goal to put the score at 4-3 at the end of the second period.
Florida tied the game at four just five minutes into the third on a rocket-shot by Mike Little from the high slot that ripped into the back of the net.
Just five minutes later, Tulsa’s Dave Pszebyczny scored in a similar fashion on a slapshot from the slow circle that blasted into the ‘Blades net past York.
Just moments later, the ‘Blades countered on Kushneriuk’s third goal of the game. Mike Aviani danced with the puck from the right wing boards to the circle before delivering a pass across the ice to the left wing circle. Kushneriuk caught the puck and delivered a wrist shot into the net for the hat trick tally and the game’s tying goal and eventually forced overtime.
In the extra session Florida was unable to convert a 4-on-3 power play opportunity, and also received some stellar saves from York. The game extended into the shootout, and Jon Booras was the lone player to score to secure the 6-5 win for Tulsa.
Carr earned the win stopping 39 of 44 shots faced, while York takes the loss allowing four goals on 33 shots.The two teams will meet again on Friday at Germain Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Upcoming Home Games & Promotions.Friday, January 16 vs. Tulsa, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, January 17 vs. Gwinnett, 7:00 p.m.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.###