'Blades Blast Past Komets to Open Homestand

ESTERO, FL – Andy Iles made 29 saves to help lead the Florida Everblades to a 3-2 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets Wednesday night at Germain Arena.Fort Wayne struck first late in the first period when Dylan Quaile’s shot from the point skipped off the ice and bounced past Florida goaltender Andy Iles.

The Everblades tied the game at 3:21 of the second period while killing off a penalty.  Mike Aviani gathered the puck up at the blue line and streaked past the defense for a breakaway chance.  Aviani deked and backhanded the puck past Komets netminder Pat Nagle for the shorthanded tally.

The Everblades grabbed the lead halfway though the middle frame, when Cameron Burt centered a pass to the front of the net to Matt Marquardt.  Marquardt clipped the puck over Nagle and into the net for the go-ahead strike.

After being denied by Nagle on a penalty shot earlier in the game, rookie forward Jeff Silengo netted Florida’s third goal at 9:16 of the third period.  Silengo blasted a slapshot from up high that was stopped by Nagle. However, the puck jumped to the right wing circle, and Silengo stepped into his own rebound and delivered a shot that hit off the shoulder of Nagle and into the net.   Silengo’s first professional goal put the Everblades ahead 3-1.

Fort Wayne refused to go away, as C.J. Severyn batted at the puck at the top of the crease and wedging it past Iles to pull the Komets within one.

The goal would not be enough, as the ‘Blades held on for the 3-2 victory.

Iles earns the win stopping 27 of 29 shots while the former Everblade Pat Nagle takes the loss allowing three goals on 21 shots faced.

The Everblades continue their lengthy homestand against Kalamazoo this Friday and Saturday.

GAME / ROSTER NOTES: Prior to the game, the Everblades added defenseman Dmitri Peremikin to the roster.  The 6-6, 220-pound Russian defender made his Everblades debut in Wednesday’s game...New England Patriots tight end and Super Bowl ChampionRob Gronkowski was on hand at Wednesday's game, and participated in a game of dodge ball during the intermission.   To view a video of the NFL star enjoying himself at the game CLICK HERE

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsFriday, February 13, vs. Kalamazoo, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 14, vs. Kalamazoo, 7:00 p.m.  “Laces of Love” shoe drive.  Fans may donate new children’s sneakers/shoes when they arrive at the game.  The shoes will be redeemed for a red stress ball which can be thrown onto the ice when the Everblades score their first goal!Hearts & Hockey Ticket Packs are now on sale for just $50!*T-Shirt*Autographed Puck*4-Endzone Ticket Vouchers which can be redeemed for any game 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 Prism 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.