'Blades Drop First Road Test of the Season

DULTUH, GA – Derek Nesbitt scored the game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Atlanta Gladiators (1-1-1-0, 3 pts) to a 4-2 victory over the Florida Everblades (3-1-0-0, 6 pts) at the Infinite Energy Arena Friday night.

Riding high off the excitement of their home opener, the Gladiators grabbed the first goal of the game.  Gerry Nunn hurled a shot from the top of the right wing circle which clipped past Everblades goaltender Anthony Peters who was screened in front. Nunn’s first of the season gave Atlanta the 1-0 edge.

Nearly two minutes later, Florida evened the score on the power play.  Matt Marquardt drifted a pass across the ice to a wide open Justin Agosta on the left wing side. Agosta flexed the puck into the open net for tying tally.  The goal was the first for Agosta in his pro career.

The Gladiators grabbed a second goal at the 13-minute mark of the first.  Nathan Condon led a rush into the zone and delivered a pass across the ice to Todd Fiddler on the wing who flipped the puck behind Peters for the goal to give Atlanta the 2-1 lead at the break.

Neither team could score in the second, but early in the third Atlanta added to its lead as Condon set up Derek Nesbitt for his first marker of the season.

The Everblades started to gain momentum halfway through the final stanza, and the hard work paid off. Mark Nemec cruised through the slot and delivered a shot that was stopped by Atlanta netminder Andy Iles. However, the rebound bounced directly to Mike Aviani on the left side of the crease, and Aviani shoved the puck into the net to pull Florida within one at 3-2.

The Everblades received a late power play, and with the goaltender pulled, Florida had a 6-on-4 situation to work with in the final two minutes.  The extra man power was not enough, as Atlanta’s Kevin Albers hurled an empty net goal with less one second remaining to secure the 4-2 win for the Gladiators.

Former Everblade Andy Iles earned his first win of the season stopping 21 of 23 shots, while Peters takes the loss allowing three goals on 32 shots faced.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday beginning at 7:05 p.m.  Fans can tune into the game live on the radio waves at 770 AM, or by listening online to the free audio stream provided by ECHL.TV by CLICKING HERE.

Everblades Game Watching Parties

Join Everblades fans in Naples and Fort Myers to watch EVERY Everblades away game during the 2015-16 season at the following locations:

New York Pizza & Pasta11140 Tamiami Trail NNaples, FL 34110

Cantina 109Gulf Coast Town Center9908 Gulf Coast Main St.Fort Myers, FL 33913

Upcoming Home GamesWednesday, October, 28:  South Carolina, at Florida, 7:30 p.m. $2 drafts, $2 wines, $2 hot dogs, all night long!  Wednesday is College Night.  $5 tickets with free parking to all college students who present their college ID at Germain Arena.Friday, October 30: South Carolina at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Wear your Halloween costumes to the game. Kids in costumes will be allowed to Trick or Treat in the Suites!  There will also be a costume contest.

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted 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.

Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages: We off full and partial season ticket plans that will save your money and fit your budget and schedule. . For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team's main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###