Lavoie Scores Late to Lift 'Blades Over Jackals

ELMIRA, NY -- Alex Lavoie scored the go-ahead goal with just 33 seconds remaining in regulation to help lift the Florida Everblades to a 5-3 victory over the Elmira Jackals at First Arena Friday night.  The Everblades (45-13-2-5, 97 pts) extend their unbeaten streak to 13 games (12-0-0-1)The Jackals struck first at 14:34 of the first period when Steven Shamanski tapped home a rebound from a Joe Houk shot into the net past Florida netminder Matt Ginn.

Three minutes later, the Everblades scored to tie the game just seconds after a power play chance ended.  Alex Lavoie's shot from the right wing circle was redirected past Elmira goaltender Sam Marotta by Steven Whitney in front. Whitney's 7th goal of the season evened the game at 1-1 after the first period.

Neither team could light the lamp in the second period.  Elmira's Mike Seidel was awarded a penalty shot at 18:34 of the middle frame, but the chance was turned aside by Ginn.

The Jackals reclaimed the lead just minutes into the third period.  Mitch Holmberg blocked a shot at the point in his own end.  The puck bounced out to center, allowing Holmberg to take off the other direction for a scoring chance. Holmberg slipped a backhanded shot past the blocker of Ginn to put the score at 2-1.

Matt Marquardt tied the game at 6:01 of the period on a solid individual effort. Marquardt carried the puck from the center ice logo and into the zone on the right wing side.  Marquardt the beat the defenseman, lowered his shoulder to angle toward the net, and slipped a shot through the five-hole of Marotta for the tally.  The goal was Marquardt's sixth in the last five games.

The Jackals grabbed their third lead of the game halfway though the period. After a 2-on-1 attempt was stopped by Ginn. The puck bounced back to Houk at the top of the crease. Houk steered the puck high into the corner of the net to give the Jackals a 3-2 edge.

Florida once again countered four minutes later.  Marquardt delivered a shot from the left wing that was stopped by Marotta.  The rebound bounced to Mike Little at the right side of the crease and he shoved the puck into the open net for the tying marker.

With just 33 seconds remaining, Jesse Graham fed a shot from the point toward the net.  The shot was stopped by Marotta, but the puck bounced to his left, and directly to the stick of Alex Lavoie who flipped the loose rubber into the net to give the Everblades their first lead of the game at 4-3.

Seconds later, Ray Kaunisto added an empty-net tally to secure the 5-3 Florida victory.

Ginn earns the win, allowing three goals on 33 shots, while Marotta takes the loss allowing four goals on 26 shots.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at First Arena.  Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Fans may listen online at  theislandfm.net 

Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsWednesday, April 1, vs. Reading, 7:30 p.m. --  Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, $2 drafts, $2 wines all night long in the concourse! It’s also College Night!  College Students receive $5 tickets with free parking! Friday, April 3, vs. Reading, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4 vs. South Carolina, 7:00 p.m. Hearts & Hockey Ticket Packs are still available 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.