Oilers Run Into Wahl's Four Points as 'Blades Win 4-2

ESTERO, FL – Mitch Wahl finished with four assists to lift the Florida Everblades to a 4-2 victory over the Tulsa Oilers Friday night at Germain Arena.  The Everblades (25-5-0-3, 53pts) continue to hold the top spot in the East Division.After falling in a 2-0 hole to the Oilers on Wednesday, the Everblades flipped the script on the Friday and grabbed the early edge.The first goal came at 12:17 of the period when forward Mitch Wahl delivered a no-look backhanded pass from the half boards to a rushing Cameron Burt at the left wing circle.  Burt closed in on goal and lifted a wrist shot over the shoulder of Tulsa netminder Kevin Carr for the goal.

Nearly three minutes later, Wahl found Chris Kushneriuk in front of the net.   Kushneriuk patiently waited for Carr to commit, and then wristed a shot high over the outstretched goaltender to put the ‘Blades on top 2-0.

Tulsa quelled the Florida momentum at 17:42 of the first period, when Charles Lachance slipped behind the defense for a breakaway opportunity.  Lachance was knocked down on his way to the net, but was able to get off a shot as he was falling to the ice.  The shot angled high into the net past goaltender Andy Iles for the tally to put the score at 2-1 after the first period.

Florida added to its lead in the second after a faceoff win in the offensive zone.  Bonita Springs native Bobby Preece rifled a shot from the point that ripped past Carr for the goal.  Preece’s first ECHL goal lifted the Everblades to a 3-1 after 40 minutes of play.

Six minutes into the third the Everblades added a fourth marker on the power play.  It was Wahl once again, as he steered a perfectly placed pass across the ice to Adam Brace at the right wing circle.  Brace drilled the puck on a one-timer into the Oilers net to extend the lead to 4-1.

Just 35 seconds later, Tulsa kept it interesting when Jake Obermeyer blasted a shot from the point which was tipped and redirected high into the net by Kyle Bocheck to pull the Oilers within two with five minutes remaining.

The Everblades buckled down and also used a power play to its advantage in the final two minutes to run off some clock, and close out the 4-2 victory.

Iles earned the win stopping 18 of 20 shots faced, while Carr takes the loss despite some big saves, allowing four goals on 26 shots.

The Everblades close out the five-game homestand on Saturday against the Gwinnett Gladiators.  Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. while the McDonald’s Tailgate Party opens at 5:00 p.m. featuring live music, bounce houses, rock wall climbing, and more!

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.###